Spot of bother costs Bassett

A missed penalty when 1-0 down proved costly for Royal Wootton Bassett Town as they wound up losing 3-0 at Easington Sports.

Football is a sport unique for the fact that games are often decided by fine margins. It is therefore imperative to take your chances when they come.

But that is something Royal Wootton Bassett Town failed to do away against Easington Sports.

Trailing by a goal with twenty minutes to go, Sam Collier's side were awarded a penalty. Mark Francis stepped up to take the kick but his effort was spectacularly saved by Joe White.

Had the penalty gone in the visitors would have been confident of claiming a point. It may even have provided the momentum for them to go on and win the game.

Instead it sucked the life out of Bassett, who conceded twice more late on to condemn them to a convincing 3-0 defeat.

Sports, who have been more than competitive in their first season of Hellenic League Premier Division Football and are always a difficult opponent to play against when at home, had edged in front on the stroke of half time when Bradley Cox headed in from Ryan Markham's delivery into the box.

They defended that lead well, but looked set to concede an equaliser when Bassett earned a spot kick.

White was Easington's hero though, his parry proving the decisive moment of the game.

Moments later, the hosts hit Bassett on the counter, Luke Swann rattling a rebound effort home after Eddie Cavanagh had initially kept out Piers Walton's volley.

Another decisive break then added further gloss to the scoreline. Joe Eyre burst forward and he teed up George Coombes to finish coolly.

The result sees Easington climb to seventh and pull eight points ahead of Bassett, who remain rooted in 16th having passed up another opportunity to climb the table.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 8th March 2020 at 19:00