Sunday 12th July 2015

Royal Wootton Bassett Town ended their pre-season on a disappointing note as they fell to a heavy 4-0 defeat away at Swindon Supermarine.

A pair of goals in each half was more than enough for Marine, who were rarely threatened by Bassett, who failed to repeat the midweek performance against Cirencester Town, which saw them run Supermarine's Southern League rivals close.

Then, a battling display was not enough to maintain the team's unbeaten run as a late Josh Parsons goal earned the Centurions a 2-1 victory.

Bassett's performance in defeat was another positive one though. Despite heavy Cirencester pressure, the scores were deadlocked at the break before Callum Wright put the visitors in front following good work by Kalum Youngsam. Charlie Griffin equalised almost immediately though, while Parsons' strike with ten minutes remaining - scored after the forward was clearly offside - proved decisive.

Paul Braithwaite's side had previously extended their preseason undefeated streak to four games with a 2-1, come from behind victory away at Hellenic League Division One West Carterton.

Bassett fell behind in the first half, but goals from Hugo Vivash and Steve Robertson - his second of the summer - turned the contest around.

The triumph against Carterton at Kilkenny Lane was Bassett's second win of that week following a 2-0 victory against Faringdon Town in the Jim Newman Trophy quarter final.

Adam Corcoran and Steve Olphert, from the penalty spot, were on target for Bassett as they defeated their spirited North Berks League opponents.

Bassett had previously held Swindon Town's Under 18 side to a 3-3 draw.

Against a solid youth side, Bassett performed well and were able to hold the League One side's young guns thanks to another pair of goals from Ryan Thomas and a Nathan Gambling strike.

Thomas had already found the net twice in Bassett's opening friendly against Purton, in which Braithwaite's side triumphed 3-1.

Much to the manager's pleasure, his side were in control of proceedings for long periods against their Division One West opponents.

The team, featuring a number of new faces for the first time, played some fluent football, which was duly rewarded.

Robertson put the visitors in front as half time neared, expertly controlling a right wing cross before picking out the bottom right corner of the net with a fine shot on the turn.

Shortly after the restart Thomas doubled the lead, confidently despatching a penalty awarded for a push on Kalum Youngsam.

Bassett were then caught out by a long ball over the top, which allowed Joe English to halve the deficit for Purton.

However, Thomas restored the two goal advantage in style, cutting in from the left and letting loose with a stunning 30 yard drive that fizzed into the bottom corner.

The Reserves were also in action at The Red House, taking on Purton's second string. That contest finished in a 2-2 draw, with Luke Adams scoring Bassett's first before Carl Shepherd steered in a late equaliser.

Last modified on Sunday 2nd August 2015 at 15:18.