The final game of the week in the North Wiltshire Division was at the Gerard Buxton Ground on Wednesday night between Stratton Juniors and Royal Wootton Bassett Town and it produced an entertaining affair that saw the two sides score ten goals between them. Stratton had the chances early on and, after Michael Gregory had hit the bar with a shot, the same player fired his side ahead with a well-placed shot into the far corner of the net from the right-hand side of the box. Royal Wootton Bassett were soon back on level terms though, a neat passing move down the right flank ended a ball to the far post by David Bundy which was met on the volley by Jeremy Newton to make it 1-1. Royal Wootton Bassett Town went in front for the first time in the game when Mark Simpkins shot was spilled by the Stratton keeper and David Bundy was on hand for a simple tap in. Eddie Erikosima made it 3-1 when a pass from Bundy put him clear on goal, he rounded the keeper whose challenge on the Royal Wootton Bassett Town player saw the ball rebound off Erikosima's foot and make its way into the net. A quickly taken free kick from Steve Yeardley put Jeremy Newton clear of the back line and he made no mistake as the Stratton defence stood still appealing for an offside to give Royal Wootton Bassett a 4-1 lead.

An early goal in the second half from Steve Yeardley put Royal Wootton Bassett 5-1 up but after Stratton player-manager Neil Lee cleared one off the line his side started something of a comeback. A foul on Stratton's Gregory by Simpkins saw the award of a penalty. Gregory took the spot kick himself and made no mistake to make it 5-2. The deficit was then reduced further when Luke Connolly was put through and fired in for 5-3. Steve Yeardley then went close to scoring his second of the game, his strike from the edge of the box coming back off the cross bar. Any chance of Stratton getting anything out of the game was ended when Mark King scored an individual goal from the left-hand side of the box, beating a couple of defenders before firing an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net for 6-3. Jeremy Newton then rounded off a good night for his side and him personally, smashing a shot from the edge of the box into the far corner of the net for his hat trick and make the final score 7-3 to Royal Wootton Bassett Town.

Credit: Mark Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 21st January 2024 at 12:37