Sunday 2nd August 2015
2014/15 was a record setting season for Wootton Bassett Town. And after finishing higher than ever before, scoring more goals than in any of the club's previous Hellenic League Premier Division campaigns and seeing three players score at least ten league goals each, bettering that performance in the 2015/16 season is going to be a tall order.
Re-christened to reflect the town's Royal status and moving back home into their sparkling new facility, confidence and spirits are high around the club though. Nowhere more so than among Paul Braithwaite and his first team squad.
The aim
Progress in both the FA Cup and Vase is again an aim. Testing draws stand in Bassett's way in both competitions; the same was the case one year ago, but that didn't prevent victories in both.
And the team will be looking to do their utmost to reach a final of one of the multiple cup competitions they will participate in. To do so would afford Bassett the first battle for silverware for their main senior side in fourteen years and would represent a fine way to mark the return home.
In the league, having guided his team to eleventh last time around, Braithwaite is seeking this year to break into the division's top ten. With five good quality promoted sides to contend with alongside the persistently solid core of seasoned Premier Division opponents, it will be a tough battle to achieve that goal.
However, the team are well prepared for that battle.
Comings and goings
The Bassett boss has been a busy man in the summer, boosting both the quality and depth of the players he will have at his disposal. That activity has led to the squad being strengthened in all areas.
In goal, the signing of Curtis Meare brings one of the most highly rated young 'keepers in the local area to Bassett.
At the back, Adam Corcoran and Dane Moulden will add presence and, despite still both being under 25, plenty of Hellenic League know-how. Dan Comer, who has represented Wiltshire at Under 18 level, meanwhile, brings much promise.
Steve Olphert and Matt Cheetham add steel and tenacity to the midfield engine room, with Sam Packer providing craft and the ability to rapidly shift play from defence to attack. In more advanced areas, Harvey Scholes and Kalum Youngsam inject youth, skill and, in the case of the latter, an eye for goal.
They all join a rather settled squad whose members finished last season strongly.
Demonstrating the benefits of the high level of team spirit that was fostered during the manager's first year in charge, departures are few in number. 'Keeper Kurtis Sharkey, who featured sparingly at the back end of last season, has left for Highworth Town, while influential midfielder Callum Wright will be missing for most of the season as he moves to the United States to study.
Pre-season preparations
Bassett's pre-season preparations began with a 3-1 victory away at near neighbours Purton. Steve Robertson's shot on the turn gave Bassett a half time lead, which Ryan Thomas doubled early after the restart from the penalty spot. Although Joe English halved Purton's deficit, Thomas restored Bassett's two goal advantage with a long range blast.
That fixture was followed with a 3-3 draw against Swindon Town Under 18s. Thomas again grabbed a brace, while Nathan Gambling also registered as Bassett held on for a positive result against a solid youth side.
The team's third friendly should have been away at Old Woodstock Town. However, the Oxfordshire side were frustratingly unable to raise a team resulting in the game's postponement.
Braithwaite's team then resumed their schedule of warm-up games against Faringdon Town in the quarter finals of the Jim Newman Trophy, an annual competition held by Clanfield. Against spirited North Berks League opposition, goals from Adam Corcoran and Steve Olphert earned a 2-0 victory.
Bassett travelled to Carterton two days later and found themselves a goal down at the break. The focus on fitness that has been a feature of training eventually paid off though as the visitors took advantage of the Division One West outfit's tiring legs and finished 2-1 winners thanks to goals from Robertson and Hugo Vivash.
The final two tune-ups represented tough tests against Southern League opposition. Bassett more than held their own against former landlords Cirencester Town, coping with plenty of pressure from the Centurions in the first half before taking the lead courtesy of Wright. Cirencester replied immediately before grabbing a dubious later winner to claim the narrowest of victories.
Bassett's final friendly against Swindon Supermarine was less positive, with Supemarine, extremely well drilled, storming to a 4-0 triumph.
Still, one poor performance out of six shouldn't set any alarm bells ringing. Nor should it dampen expectations.
Bolstered, boosted and confident of bettering the last campaign, why can't this year's squad again set records?
Last modified on Sunday 2nd August 2015 at 15:46.
