Monday 22nd May 2017
Next in our series looking at our youth section teams securing honours this season is the Under 14 Blue side, who claimed the North Wilts League Cup and finished runners-up in Division One.
North Wilts League Under 14 Cup Winners 2016-17
Having narrowly missed out on the Division One title, Royal Wootton Bassett Town Under 14 Blues secured some silverware in the form of the North Wilts League Cup in 2016-17.
The Blues racked up the goals in the early rounds.
Their first round tie against Bassett Yellow was won 11-1, with Daniel Warre leading the way with four goals.
Wanborough Juniors Yellow were then dispatched 12-0 as Nathaniel Bell contributed four and Warre grabbed a hat-trick.
Division One Castle Combe Colts awaited in the quarter finals, and Bassett again had too much for them, winning 5-0 thanks to goals from Warre (2), Bell, Michael Gilder and Billy Saunders.
Reward for victory was a tie against Swindon Supermarine R – the side who would pip Bassett to the league title – in the last four. As tight a cup game as you're ever likely to see, normal time finished with the sides level at 2-2, Warre and Sidney Skippen having netted for Bassett. And it was an unlikely hero who delivered the extra time goal that took them through to the final as Daniel Patey grabbed his first of the season and a 3-2 win for his team.
That set up a clash with runaway Division Two champions Croft Junior Yellow in the final. Bassett proved too good for them on the day, firing five goals without reply to claim the cup. Warre netted a brace, while Jack Langcaster, Freddie Merrett and Jed Phillips also found the back of the net.
North Wilts League Under 14 Division One Runners-up 2016-17
Royal Wootton Bassett Town Under 14 Blues narrowly missed out on retaining their North Wilts League Division One crown in the 2016/17 season.
Despite having to play catch up for a large part of the season due to early season cup commitments, Bassett maintained their 100% record until a 2-0 defeat by FC Calne with four games remaining.
That defeat meant their meeting with Swindon Supermarine R in their penultimate fixture of the season would determine the destination of the title. Despite a Billy Saunders goal, it was Supermarine who prevailed 2-1 to deny Bassett the title and a league and cup double.
While disappointing not to have taken top spot, it was a fantastic season for Bassett, and one which saw four players reach double figures in goals.
They started the year by putting nine without reply past Hungerford Town Juniors, with Daniel Warre firing four.
Bassett then triumphed 2-0 in an early season clash with Supermarine thanks to strikes from Nathaniel Bell and Oliver Case.
Bell and Warre both hit hat-tricks in a 9-1 victory over Castle Combe Colts, before Bell and Frederick Merrett were on target as they squeaked past FC Calne by the odd goal in three.
Bassett then didn't play another league fixture until January. But they showed little signs of rest when they returned to action, defeating Castle Combe Colts 4-2 and Chippenham Town Youth 4-0.
Their next three fixtures yielded 24 goals. Sidney Skippen hit three in a 9-2 win against Lydiard Millicent Juniors. He repeated that haul in their next fixture against Croft Juniors Blue, but was bested by Michael Gilder, who struck four times in a 9-1 win. Bassett then defeated Croft 6-3 in the return fixture.
Bassett appeared unbeatable, and they continued their run against Highworth Town Juniors 'T'. Although the teams were tied 1-1 at the break, Bassett pulled away in the second half to win 4-1. They then saw off Hungerford (4-0) at home and Lydiard Millicent (5-2) on the road.
Their setback against FC Calne followed and, although they bounced back with a 5-2 triumph against Highworth, their title hopes were ended by the narrowest of margins by Supermarine.
There was still time to finish with a flourish though. And that they did, with Saunders scoring twice and the defence keeping a clean sheet in a 4-0 win at Chippenham.
Last modified on Monday 22nd May 2017 at 18:30.
