Sustain Stadium, Gerard Buxton Sports Ground, 8 March 2024

Oliver Case scored the only goal of the game as Royal Wootton Bassett Town earned a crucial Friday night derby victory against fellow Hellenic League Premier Division playoff contenders Fairford Town.

With both teams having dropped points in recent weeks and entering their final five games of the season, their meeting at the Sustain Stadium was one neither team could afford to lose.

A high stakes encounter, the pressure was therefore on – and it was Bassett, much to the relief of manager Sam Collier, who were able, just, to deliver the goods.

As was perhaps to be expected given what was seemingly at stake for both teams, it was a nervy contest devoid – at least in the opening period – of much real quality.

And it was no real surprise that the first half finished goalless.

For Bassett, Kyle Tooze drove a long range effort over after a driving run forward from midfield, while captain Adam Corcoran skewed a header off target from Tommy Ouldridge's free kick delivery.

At the other end Fairford's best openings fell to leading scorer Jamal Lawrence. But on both occasions he miscued. His first chance came when a short corner caught Bassett off guard. Harrison Edwards fizzed a low ball into the box which struck Lawrence, lurking on the edge of the six yard box, and fortunately ricocheted safely out of play. He then raced between Corcoran and Case to latch onto a through ball in behind the defence but could only drag a poor effort off target from 18 yards.

Both Bassett 'keeper Rob Brown and Fairford shotstopper Ben Mitchell were therefore spectators in the opening half. And while Brown would continue to play such a role after the restart, Mitchell became busier as Bassett upped their game.

And three corners in quick succession almost yielded an opening goal.

The latter of that trio saw Ouldridge play short into the feet of Tooze. And, after easily rolling Ellis McSharry, his low ball across the face of goal caused panic. Will Davidson initially blocked on the line from Case's snap shot. But the ball went out only as far as Ouldridge, who had ghosted into the area, and his powerful left foot strike from 15 yards was headed over by the same player to keep the ball from flying into the top corner.

Debutant Elliot Dugan then clipped narrowly over after racing onto Sam Packer's defence splitting pass as the hosts continued to seem most likely to score.

Bassett's pressure eventually paid off with just over twenty minutes remaining. Ouldridge swung a fine corner into the heart of a crowded six-yard box and Case got in front of Mitchell to head home from close range.

It could soon have been two as Dugan squared for an unmarked Tooze, but Mitchell acrobatically tipped over the bar.

Mitchell then had to be alert to save from Ouldridge after he had been set up by Dugan.

Despite having to chase the game, Fairford were unable to really threaten Bassett. And frustration creeped into the visitors' game, which eventually boiled over when substitute Tom Chamberlain received his marching orders for contesting the referee's initial decision to send him to the sin bin.

The Fairford man would quickly embarrass himself as, despite the referee's instructions to leave via the other side of the pitch, he opted to take the long way round before taking a swipe at the pitch side barrier and the corner flag.

All that needless drama emerged after Chamberlain had contested the initial decision of the assistant referee to award a free kick against him for a soft foul deep in Bassett territory.

Having to face ten men certainly benefited Bassett. And for the remainder of the game, Collier's team kept their discipline and focus, seeing time out to clinch not only a season double over their rivals but also what could be a hugely vital three points.

While only four games now remain, there is still much work for Bassett to do.

Realistically, Collier and his team need at least another four points to maximise their chances of qualifying for the playoffs. Yet, they will need to dig deep to get the points they need in the fixtures they have left.

Brimscombe and Thrupp are next up. The Lilywhites may be mired in the bottom half of the table. But they have been a bogey side for Bassett in recent seasons and were comfortable winners on their last visit to the Sustain Stadium.

Title favourites Worcester City follow in the final home fixture of the season before testing visits to Slimbridge and Cinderford Town – who are both also hunting for a top five finish.

The Fairford victory may have settled some nerves. But the pressure is still on.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 9th March 2024 at 11:32