Wootton Bassett's latest league game in their title pursuit proved to be a real knockout - especially for the referee. Only five minutes of the second half of the match had elapsed when the referee was knocked out by the ball. Despite treatment he was not fit enough to continue and had to be replaced by the senior linesman for the remainder of the match. But Bassett continued their pursuit of the Division One title following last week's Senior Cup semi-final success by defeating Calne Town Reserves 6-0. Bassett immediately stamped their authority on the game in the 4th minute. A ball won by Harrison, and combined work between Frost and Thomas, found York who opened the scoring for Bassett. The lively running of the Bassett front three of Thomas, York and particularly Frost, ably supported by Harrison and McKay continued to create chances. But it wasn't until the 35th minute that a good pass from Vines found McKay and his accurate shot beat the Calne keeper to put Bassett further in the lead. But they were not able to increase their lead and went in at half time 2-0.

In the second half, when the game eventually got restarted, Bassett continued to press a rather unimpressive Calne side, who did not offer much resistance to Bassett's pressure. Rees in the Bassett goal had spent most of the afternoon as a spectator with only back passes from his own defenders to contend with. Bassett's persistency nearly paid off 15 minutes into the second half when Vines was unlucky to see his shot hit the post. Frost then also hit the post, McKay had an attempt well saved and Ian Johns, after a determined run also had his attempt well saved. York also had a shot saved, and all that in the space of about 5 minutes, but still the score remained at 2-0.

With 15 minutes of the game remaining, York latched onto a mistake by the Calne defence and beat the keeper to score. It was York again 5 minutes later who found the industrious Harrison with a very good ball, and Harrison made no mistake in extending Bassett's lead even further. Further goals by Harrison and Ackrill in the last four minutes gave Bassett a comfortable 6-0 victory.

Although Bassett had knocked a rather unimpressive Calne side for 'a six', this was not a good display by Bassett, who are capable of playing a lot better. Next week Bassett finally get to play Sanford in the 3rd Round of the Ghia Senior Cup away at Sanford, kick-off 2pm. Bassett Reserves are at home to Dunbar Wills Res in a Div 3 league fixture, kick-off 2.30pm.

Credit: Rod Carter
Last modified on Sunday 15th November 2020 at 21:34