Another fine performance by Wootton Bassett Town saw off local rivals Purton in Saturday's Hellenic League Cup clash. This was a decisive win and, although in the first half Purton took the game to Bassett, they never really looked like scoring. In fact, they troubled keeper Stevens on only one occasion when he was forced to make a fine save by turning a good shot round a post. Craig Pickett headed another goal-bound shot away but, this apart, on their sporadic raids on the Purton goal, Bassett looked the more dangerous.

With the departure of Richard Morgan, Scott Vincent and Sean Clarke started up front for Bassett. They had the ability to hold the ball up for coming players to move on to and this caused some problems for Purton's defenders. The result was that Purton's midfield could not dictate proceedings. Bassett started to press more and, after forcing a couple of corners, the ball was put out of play in the 22nd minute. This resulted in a long throw by Pickett into the box which was headed on by Clarke and Stuart Morse rose above defenders to head into the corner of the net.

The game then ebbed and flowed and continued to be entertaining. Just before half-time Bassett nearly went two up. A fine through ball found Vincent who slipped his man and, with a lovely lob, beet keeper Miles, the ball bouncing almost on the line before shooting up vertically to the underside of the bar and out.

But Vincent of his rewind and his first senior goal of the season straight from the kick-off. A through ball for him to chase found two defenders converging on him. With both mistiming their tackles, Vincent went between them and slid the ball past Miles. Bassett got better as the half wore on. Their defence was strong and midfield dominate, even with the loss of Barry Giles, their quiet workhorse.

And the introduction of Gavin Barron did nothing to disturb the balance of the side. Previously. Bassett had lost Pickett who was replaced by Dominic Machell who had a fine game on his first outing this season in the senior side. In the closing minutes of the game, Purton threw everything at Bassett and Stevens was forced to make one superb diving save. But by then, it would have been too late even if had it gone in. A word of praise, too, for referee Barry Cooper and his linesmen, Merv Jones and Barry Mercer, who all controlled this game very well.

Credit: Wilts & Glos Standard
Last modified on Thursday 31st December 2020 at 21:51