Friday 28th August 2020

The curtailment of the 2019-20 season was arguably a blessing in disguise for Royal Wootton Bassett Town.

At the point at which the Coronavirus outbreak brought the Hellenic League Premier Division season to a premature conclusion, Sam Collier's side had endured an underwhelming campaign, finding themselves 16th out of 19 teams, averaging just a point per game and with no real progress to show in cup competitions.

The source of their underachievement was primarily a torrid start, which saw Bassett wait until late September to record their opening league win and until November 23 to taste victory at home.

Improvement was made once Collier had jettisoned a raft of players who had been drafted in during the summer months, replacing them with an injection of youth. But Bassett still lacked the consistency required to drag themselves away from the lower reaches of the table.

A prolonged period of reflection was therefore the tonic needed before attempting to right the ship. That has been provided – albeit by a pandemic that continues to upend lives and cause tragedy across the world.

However, on the field at least, now is the time to put last season firmly behind – and for Bassett to aim for better. It could even perhaps be time for Bassett to finally overachieve.

This year, Collier's recruitment drive appears to have been far more canny. As was the case ahead of last season, experience has been sourced. But that will complement the youthful purpose that has been injected into the squad across the pitch.

Between the sticks, the Bassett boss has signed Harrison Ellis and Mike Alexander from Fairford Town and Shrivenham respectively. In recent seasons, Bassett have had difficulties filling the number one jersey. Now, there's competition.

Bassett's defence has been reinforced too. The commanding Sam Ockwell, captain of Shrivenham for the past two seasons, returns for his third spell with the club and offers composure on the ball as well as a robust presence at centre half.

Southern League experience is added in the form of Kyle Lapham and Jon Beeden, while Matt Berry-Hargreaves brings with him more than a dozen appearances in National League South with Hungerford Town last season.

They will feature alongside long-time club servant Adam Corcoran and the returning Carl Evans, while George Ford and Alex Dinsmore provide youth and energy at full back.

In midfield, Collier has retained the services of Gio Wrona and Kai Robinson. Meanwhile, Chris Taylor – a classy operator with years of Southern League experience – and the promising Dan Bailey – on loan from Hungerford – have been signed. Also returning to the club is the versatile Iggy Ilott.

It is in wide areas that Bassett will be their most youthful – and, hopefully, dangerous. Returning are 2019-20 Supporters' Player of the Year Caine Bradbury and the hugely talented Dan Warre, both of whom possess an eye for creating and scoring goals.

Jack Baker, another promising youngster who featured for Chippenham Town Academy and Devizes Town last season, and Jack Stirland, who arrives having studied at University of Leeds where he was football captain, provide additional threats.

And they will serve Mark Francis and a fit-again TJ Bohane – both dependable goalscorers who will lead the line.

In a limited pre-season, the squad assembled has looked promising.

Bassett began with a 4-3 victory against Malmesbury Victoria, with Bohane scoring twice and further goals from Bradbury and Wrona.

Bailey and Beeden were then on target as Collier's side held Bradford Town – one of the leading sides in the Western League Premier Division last season – to a 2-2 draw.

A comprehensive 6-1 triumph at Cirencester Town Development followed, in which Francis bagged a brace and Bailey, Berry-Hargreaves, Bohane and Dinsmore all scored.

And while the most recent friendly ended in a 1-0 defeat against Corsham Town (a game in which Bassett were frustratingly reduced to nine men), it was a contest in which the defence and midfield looked assured.

The goal is now to ensure that promise translates into results when competitive football finally begins again.

After a long wait, Collier and his troops are raring to go – and they are determined to deliver better.

Last modified on Friday 28th August 2020 at 08:00.