Monday 20th May 2024
For a third consecutive season, Royal Wootton Bassett Town Under 18s finished as runners-up in the Wiltshire Senior League Floodlit Division.
Although Bassett did benefit from the late withdrawal of Bristol Manor Farm – who were title favourites for most of the season, their achievement is still a significant one, with the team overcoming an indifferent start to the season before finishing strongly.
Bassett's first two games of the campaign ultimately were against teams whose records were expunged after they withdrew. The season started with a heavy 5-0 loss at Bristol Manor Farm before a crushing 7-1 victory – in which Joe Beavis registered a hat trick – away at Bradford Town.
Bassett made it consecutive wins as Beavis and Beau Hicks netted braces in a 5-2 home triumph against Wims 11. But they then came up short against reigning champions Kintbury Rangers, losing 2-0.
Their inconsistent form continued though as following a 3-1 home victory against Melksham Town in which Beavis, Joe Simpkins and Rhys Westlake were on target, Bassett fell to a 1-0 loss against Kingsdown.
But that would be Bassett's last league defeat for a while as the team registered a five game unbeaten league run that ultimately proved vital to securing second.
A Jamie Wright double helped Bassett on their way to a 3-1 win away at FC Chippenham Youth before Beavis, Wright and Sam Case all scored as the team won by the same score at Calne Town – who would eventually finish three points behind.
Beavis then scored to help Bassett to an impressive 1-1 home draw against Manor Farm. He was again on target alongside Wright and Junior Zumaro as Bassett prevailed 3-1 at home against eventual third place finishers Radstock Town.
The unbeaten league run then continued as a Westlake hat trick inspired Bassett to a 5-0 victory away at Melksham.
A mini slump followed with a 3-1 loss at Kintbury, 2-2 draw at Kingsdown and – after a 4-1 home win against FC Chippenham – a 4-1 reverse at the hands of Calne.
But maximum points from their final two fixtures saw Bassett finish in style. A Wright brace and further goal from Westlake earned a 3-1 triumph at Radstock before Beavis, Zumaro and Fin Skittrall netted to prevail by the odd goal in five at Wims 11.
The team sat top of the table at this stage with Kintbury and Radstock still holding multiple games in hand and with a chance of overhauling Bassett.
Kintbury did just that to win the title by seven points. But Radstock were unable to close the gap, drawing their final game against Kintbury as they wound up one point behind Bassett in third.
