Bassett certainly appear to blow hot and cold as far as recent results are concerned. After the previous week's disappointment against Kidlington, they literally steamed in this one as Saturday saw them bringing to an end Rayners Lane's run of eight wins in a row – and deservedly so.

From the kick-off and playing some good football, Lane attacked and put Bassett's goal under pressure. But Robinson's handling of the crosses was superb in windy conditions. The first 15 minutes saw Bassett rarely get over the half-way line but they slowly got back into the game. And it was Bassett who had the first real opportunity. A superb cross from Thomas on 25 minutes saw Vincent standing unmarked in the box. With only Randall to beat, he got under the ball sending it over the bar.

A minute later Lane's Haigh sent in a tremendous 30-yard drive that Robinson did well to hold. As the half progressed Bassett's confidence grew. At the back nothing much was getting past Moloney, Davis, York and Machell, while Giles and Harrison got to grips with the midfield. Recalled Thomas was causing Lane's left-side defenders more and more trouble.

The visitors started the second period well. After only a minute, Jell had a shot well saved by Randall. Town then put on the pressure. Every loose ball was picked up by a Bassett defender if it did get past Harrison and Giles. They started supplying Thomas on the right and, with Vincent making some good runs. Lane's defence finally looked vulnerable. On 55 minutes, Vincent came close to opening the scoring, but it was 15 minutes later that the hosts broke out, forcing Robinson to be at his very best to stop a Thompson strike.

Then the action returned to the other end. Glastonbury saw his diving header scrape a post from a cross by Thomas while Giles fired one just over after good work from Vincent. Five minutes from the end, Moloney picked up a loose ball on the edge of Bassett's box. He gave it to Giles who slipped it on to Thomas, the latter taking on and beating three defenders before passing to Jell. He knocked it to Paul Harrison whose 25-yarder went like a bullet into the corner of the net. Randall's luck had run out as a fine team performance by Bassett finally had the beating of third placed Rayners Lane.

Credit: Paul Harrison
Last modified on Monday 30th June 2025 at 19:22