Royal Wootton Bassett Town ended their winless early season run in the Hellenic League Premier Division with a 3-1 triumph away against Longlevens.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town's prolonged wait for a 2019-20 league win is finally over as Sam Collier's team deservedly triumphed 3-1 away against Longlevens.

An impressive display, capped by goals from Alfie Presley, Danny Langford and a Gio Wrona penalty, delivered a victory that also lifts Bassett off the bottom of the Hellenic League Premier Division table.

After Saturday's disappointing reverse at home against Virginia Water, Collier required a response from his side. And that is what the Bassett boss got.

They were bright from the first whistle. And while it was Longlevens who had the first real chances of the game, Declan Lehmann saving from James Barnett and Will Emery, Bassett were arguably the brighter of the two teams.

On eleven minutes, Caine Bradbury's venomous free kick forced Ash Wintle to tip wide. The same player then forced another save from open play before Langford headed narrowly over from a left-wing cross.

Soon enough the opening goal of the game arrived on the half hour mark – and it would be the first of three scored in the space of a frenzied six-minute period. Wintle was unable to handle a Wrona free kick and Presley pounced to prod home the loose ball for his third goal of the campaign.

Isaac Johns saw a shot deflected over for the hosts. But they were level shortly after. Longlevens caught Bassett on the break, and after neat link up play, Johns played a through ball to Harry Emmett on the right, and he fired home a powerful left foot drive.

Parity wouldn't last though. 'Keeper Lehmann sprayed a magnificent ball out to Presley on the right and he crossed for man of the match Langford, who was free in the box, to guide beyond Wintle.

Following the restart, both sides continued to push forward as they had done in the opening period.

For Longlevens, Josh Watts volleyed wide, while Emmett failed to test Lehmann from the edge of the area.

At the other end, Bassett were forcing numerous corners, though were unable to take advantage of them, the closest they came being when Bradbury saw a shot blocked.

Even with the visitors performing well, the outcome still therefore hung in the balance.

That was until Wintle brought down Presley with three minutes to go. And up stepped Wrona, who coolly put the penalty away to seal a long-awaited three points.

With the wait for a league win finally over, the job now for Bassett is to put their early season struggles behind them and close the gap between themselves and the sides in mid-table.

The talent is there in the squad to push for a top half finish. After a slow start, now is the time to knuckle down and deliver the points that will help them achieve what they are capable of.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Wednesday 25th September 2019 at 21:56