Royal Wootton Bassett Town recorded their first away league win in 2018 as they defeated Lydney Town 2-0.
After going eleven months without an away league victory, Royal Wootton Bassett Town ended that sorry run in style with a convincing 2-0 victory against Lydney Town.
Never the easiest place to go, Bassett's task in Gloucestershire would appear to have been made that much tougher by the fact manager Sam Collier was forced not only into making five changes from the team fielded against Binfield on Saturday, but also into playing himself.
No matter though.
Defensively, Bassett were solid with 'keeper Kevin Sawyer - filling in for Charlie McCready who was in cup action for parent club Hungerford Town - rarely troubled. And that delivered the team's first clean sheet since the goalless draw in the FA Cup against the same opponents back in August.
In attack, meanwhile, Bassett were clinical. And it was arguably some surprise that their margin of victory was only two goals come full time.
The damage was done in the opening period. Following a fantastic switch of play, space opened up for Brad Pagliaroli to deliver the first. Then when home 'keeper Jordan Dibble came for and failed to collect a cross, Matt Bennett was on hand to tap in the second. The veteran has now scored in four consecutive games and is only two goals shy of becoming the third Bassett player to reach ten for the season in the league.
After the restart Bennett was twice unlucky not to add to his haul, while TJ Bohane - who, alongside Carl Evans, led his side by example - narrowly missed out on getting the goal his performance deserved when he hit the post. A pair of outstanding saves from Dibble also minimised the damage.
It was a superb result that brings to an end a run of consecutive defeats. And, with tough home games ahead against Ardley United and Bishop's Cleeve up next, hopefully it will instil the confidence required to gain positive results that maintain Bassett's push for a finish in the upper reaches of the Hellenic League Premier Division table.
Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Tuesday 13th November 2018 at 21:59
