Friday 1st June 2018

Next up in our series looking at teams claiming honours this season are Royal Wootton Bassett Town's Under 18 Blues, who finished as runners-up in North Wilts League Division One, narrowly missing out on the title.

North Wilts League Under 18 Division One Runners-up 2017-18

An exciting title race meant that the destination of the 2017-18 North Wilts League Division One crown came down to a final day encounter between Royal Wootton Bassett Town Blue and Malmesbury Victoria Youth.

Malmesbury had triumphed 3-1 in their meeting a month prior, but in the return fixture Bassett were hoping to use their home advantage and record the victory that would have sealed them top spot. However, they came up just short a tense 0-0 draw meaning Malmesbury hung on to first place.

Bassett started the campaign in brilliant fashion, not dropping a point before Christmas.

They saw off Stratton Juniors 3-1 in their season opener. Thomas Austin, Cameron Bell, Bailey Gallagher, Thomas Legge end Finley Sly then all netted in a 5-3 away victory against FC Chippenham Youth before Gallagher and Harrison Gough secured a narrow win by the odd goal in three at fellow high-flyers Fairford and Lechlade.

Four goals from George Staten helped make it four wins from four as AFC Newbury Colts were thrashed 8-0.

However, Bassett stumbled slightly in their first two games in 2018. Staten and Euan Turner scored at home against Stratton Youth, but the visitors were able to claim a point. Fairford and Lechlade then also denied Bassett victory, Gallagher scoring in a 1-1 draw.

Legge grabbed the only goal of the game at home against AFC Newbury to get the team back on the winning track. He scored in their next game away at Stratton Youth too, with Gough also netting as they prevailed 2-1.

Disappointment away at Malmesbury when they next played in April was a blow, but did not prove fatal to Bassett's title hopes as the Vics had been held to a draw by FC Chippenham and lost to Fairford and Lechlade earlier in the campaign.

And they made sure of a final game decider with a convincing 5-1 triumph against Stratton Juniors in which Harvey Coster netted twice.

Ultimately, however, a goalless draw against Malmesbury meant they had to settle for second place – a fine achievement in itself.

Last modified on Friday 1st June 2018 at 08:47.