Lydney Recreation Ground, 7 October 2023

Royal Wootton Bassett Town slipped towards the middle of the Hellenic League Premier Division pack following a disappointing 2-0 defeat away against Lydney Town.

Following a goalless first half, former Bassett player Lewis Thompson opened the scoring ten minutes after the restart, heading in from Lucas Vaughan's corner after the visitors had spurned a golden opportunity with Bailey Gallagher missing an open goal following after perfect set up play from Ackeem Stewart.

Vaughan then doubled Lydney's advantage with just over twenty minutes remaining, seeing a free kick from deep on the right fly into the top corner and over the head of Sam Collier - who was forced to enter the game after an injury to 'keeper Harry Pickering, as Bassett were unable to muster a reply.

Adding insult to injury, Bassett saw Kai Robinson sent off for violent conduct.

After Tuesday's draw at home against Thornbury Town, for the second game in a row Bassett came unstuck facing a side languishing in the bottom four.

That serves to demonstrate how competitive this year's division is, with the gap in quality between the sides at the top and those at the bottom being much less than in previous seasons.

However, Sam Collier and his team will be frustrated to have again missed out on points in a match where - on paper and given their early season form - they began as favourites.

Aiming to push for a playoff place as they target a repeat of last season's fifth place finish, Bassett will need to quickly bounce back in order to keep with the sides they now find themselves trailing in the standings.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Monday 9th October 2023 at 11:12