Celebrating Success: North Wilts League U12 Division Two Champions

Sunday 13th June 2021

Thirteen may be an unlucky number for some. But not for Royal Wootton Bassett Town's Under 12 Blue side in the 2020-21 season. They reeled off that number of consecutive victories to finish their campaign and emerge as North Wilts League Division Two champions.

Making that run of victories even more impressive was the circumstances in which it took place. Lockdown measures meant the season was curtailed between December and April (indeed, postponements meant that Bassett's final pre-lockdown fixture was played on 1 November).

That meant that when play resumed the Blues had to fit in 15 games, including four double-headers, within a short two-month window. But they coped magnificently with that busy schedule, overhauling eventual runners-up Ramsbury Juniors and taking the title by three points.

Altogether, across 22 games Bassett dropped just six points – all against Ramsbury – en-route to their deserved title win.

Bassett's credentials as one of the top teams in Division Two were emphasised in their opening four fixtures of the campaign – all of which were convincing victories.

On opening day Fairford Town Youth were swept aside 9-3 as Phanuel Asenso, Liam Lye-Owens and William Smith all netted braces. Lye-Owens then bagged a hat-trick, being backed up by pairs from Asenso and Sonny Parmaku as another six-goal victory was recorded, this time against Wims 11 Foothills (8-2).

The goals kept coming, Asenso hitting three in a 6-2 win against Lydiard Youth Irons, before Parmaku's hat-trick and Bryan Willson's brace paved the way in a 9-0 away victory over Lydiard Youth Tigers.

Bassett's momentum would be halted in game five though, early pacesetters Ramsbury blanking the Blues in a 2-0 defeat.

But in what would prove to be their final two games before lockdown, Bassett returned to winning ways. Stanley Perry and Austin Tanner both scored twice in a 7-0 triumph against Highworth Town Juniors T. Lye-Owens, Smith and Tanner then found the net as the team edged out Swindon Supermarine Youth Blue by the odd goal in five.

When lockdown was eventually lifted, Bassett therefore found themselves in fourth place. With games in hand (having played the fewest of any side before the season was suspended), they trailed Wims 11 and Stratton Youth by a point. But the Blues were a long way off Ramsbury, who held a twelve-point lead over Bassett having played three games more.

And that gap would soon increase.

Bassett's first post-lockdown fixture was something of a breeze as they beat Highworth 14-1. Parmaku and Rhys Poulton both hit hat-tricks, while Asenso, Smith and Tanner all found the net twice.

But their second fixture ended in defeat – again to Ramsbury – as Bassett lost 7-3.

That increased the gap to the leaders to 15 points. By now Bassett had four games in hand – enough to pull within three points of the then-leaders. Yet, that seemed a tall order, let alone overtaking Ramsbury.

However, thirteen wins later Bassett had accomplished both.

A nervy 4-2 triumph against Supermarine helped restore confidence before a vital 5-1 victory at home against Wims 11 saw the Blues climb into second place.

Bassett then recorded identical 5-0 wins in their first double-header against FC Calne Panthers on a day when Asenso scored four times and Smith three.

After Lydiard Youth Tigers were seen off 8-0, three straight double-headers awaited.

A second six-point double-header haul was achieved against Purton Youth with 5-0 and 5-2 wins.

That became a hat-trick as FC Chippenham Youth Tigers were beaten 5-1 and 4-0 – results which, combined with those elsewhere, took Bassett to the top of the table.

A tough final double-header against fourth place Stratton Youth awaited though. While Karol Czekanski's pair led the way in a 6-1 win in the opening game, Bassett had to dig deep in the return fixture. But goals from Parmaku and Smith delivered victory by the odd goal in three.

That left the Blues needing four points from their final two games to seal the title. They duly delivered six.

Smith (2), Czekanski and Finley Marchment scored in a 4-0 home win against Fairford Town.

Then on the final day, first half goals from Asenso, Indy Iles-Jones, Lye-Owens and Smith meant third-place Lydiard Youth Irons were unable to play spoiler in a title-clinching 4-0 triumph – Bassett's thirteenth win in a row.

Under 12 Blue Team Photo

Last modified on Sunday 13th June 2021 at 07:00.