Wootton Bassett and Pewsey fought out a fairly uninspiring game at Rylands Way on Saturday. It was a day when both defences were firmly on top. A lot of the approach work from both sides was good but the moves always seemed to founder when the edge of the opponent's box was reached. The first half threw up little of interest, neither goalkeeper being forced to make a save, though McKay nearly scored an own goal when he thumped a header against the post.

Bassett came out for the second half a bit more lively and for the first ten minutes pinned Pewsey back. Karn was the first to have a half chance but he failed to get any power behind his shot. Frost, the only Bassett forward to offer Pewsey any threat on the day, then got in a glancing header from a Woods free kick but the Pewsey keeper turned it over the br. Pewsey then came back into the game and Haines, who has played perhaps his best football all season in the last three games, had to be alert down the left flank. Bartlett, playing as a sweeper, also had one of his better performances in Bassett colours.

With fifteen minutes remaining York had a run in on the keeper but put his shot wide of the left-hand post. Although Bassett kept the pressure on Pewsey the goal never looked like coming, the front three tending to play too close and thus closing down each other's space. Pewsey nearly snatched the points right at the end when "Teflon" Rees in the Bassett goal let a sharply struck back pass from Ackrill slip through his hands, but he recovered quickly enough to deny the Pewsey forward. Although generally a disappointing game it takes Bassett a further point nearer the league title.

Credit: Paul Harrison
Last modified on Monday 16th November 2020 at 16:38