Sustain Stadium, Gerard Buxton Sports Ground, 26 March 2024

Royal Wootton Bassett Town may have been unable to hinder Worcester City's seemingly inexorable march towards the Hellenic League Premier Division title (and a potential quadruple). But Sam Collier's side pushed City all the way before falling to defeat by the odd goal in three in a pulsating encounter played in the driving rain at the Sustain Stadium.

City were made to sweat all night as Bassett rose to the occasion and took the game to their gilded opponents. It certainly wasn't the kind of night that City were hoping for just over 72 hours away from the first leg of their Buildbase FA Vase semi final.

Ultimately, however, Worcester came away winners courtesy of a brace from leading marksman Kyle Belmonte, with Alfie Presley's first half penalty proving not enough for a share of the spoils that Bassett's excellent performance arguably merited.

Indeed, Bassett will look back with some frustration on the two goals they conceded. Two clipped balls over the top that opened up their defence proved the hosts' undoing on a night when otherwise they were defensively stout and also able to pose a consistent threat at the other end of the pitch.

While having the opening chance of the match – Louis Spalding seeing a firm drive from the edge of the area blocked inside the six yard box, the home faithful could have been forgiven for thinking they were in for a long night when Worcester took the lead in just the sixth minute.

It was a rather simple goal too: Dylan Hart flicked the ball on to set strike partner Elliott Hartley in behind the defence and he squared for the onrushing Belmonte who, presented with a one-on-one opportunity, coolly slotted past Rob Brown.

But Bassett were on their game and quickly set about searching for an equaliser. Home 'keeper Haydn Whitcombe twice frustrated their efforts, parrying from Sam Packer after great work from Kyle Tooze and Scott Chilcott to keep play alive before tipping away from Chilcott after he had been teed up by Presley.

Whitcombe soon came to Bassett's aid though. On 17 minutes he clumsily clattered into Spalding as the pair contested a high ball into the box and the hosts had a penalty. Leading scorer Presley stepped up to the mark and coolly sent Whitcombe the wrong way, stroking the spot kick into the bottom left corner.

The game – aided by a slick, sodden pitch - ebbed and flowed for the remainder of the half, with action at both ends.

Worcester fashioned the better of the chances. Belmonte twice forced Brown to save – the second time somewhat awkwardly – with powerful shots from range, while the Bassett 'keeper also did brilliantly to one-handedly swat away Kirk Layton's close range half volley. With half time looming, Brown then made one block before a further goalline clearance helped keep the visitors out after an Adam Mace corner caused a scramble in the box.

Bassett may not have had truly created another shot on goal before the break. But they did feel as though they should have had another penalty when Chilcott was bundled over. This time, however, Bassett's calls for a spot kick were waved away.

There was then to be no letting up from either side after the restart.

Worcester should have been back ahead less than 120 seconds after play resumed when Hartley latched onto Jordan Lymn's defence splitting pass. In behind the defence he had just Brown to beat, but curled a first time left-foot shot wide of the post.

Bassett found themselves pinned deep in their own territory in the opening minutes of the half, but were able to keep City at bay.

Soon enough, Bassett were causing problems at the other end. Presley flicked on a Spalding ball into the left channel for the lively Tooze. And after teasing with Layton, he eventually cut in and powered past the City centre half. That opened up a sight on goal and Tooze's tight-angled shot flew towards the right corner only to rattle the post. He would have a second bite at the cherry though as the rebound fell for him but that effort was blocked.

Liam Lockett then came close at the other end. Cutting inside from the left, he squeezed between both Jowan Partridge and Tom Moore before seeing a low drive batted away by Brown.

The game's decisive moment arrived on 65 minutes. Substitute Kyonn Evans made an immediate impact, shrugging off the attentions of Olly Case – with, it could be argued excessive force, to race onto a ball played in behind the defence. And he squared for Belmonte who swept home from just inside the box.

The remaining twenty minutes remained tense with the game still on a knife-edge. Chasing another equaliser, Bassett were forced to open up. As would be expected, Worcester continued to threaten, but Bassett were able to withstand the pressure they came under.

Collier's team also continued to pose questions of the Worcester defence. But, while bending, they did not break.

That's the mark of champions – and it will be little surprise if Worcester quickly collect the eleven points they need to seal the title.

Bassett, meanwhile, can take much encouragement from a strong performance against the cream of this year's Hellenic League crop. And that will hopefully stand the team in good stead when the playoffs arrive.

Player of the match: Kyle Tooze – unlucky not to get a goal, Tooze was at his best, making life difficult for the Worcester defence with his hold up play and energy when on and off the ball.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Tuesday 26th March 2024 at 22:58