Following their previous week's poor performance in the cup, Bassett bounced to defeat league leaders Saracens on Saturday. Saracens, who only the weekend previous had beaten Purton 3-0 at the Red House, were looking to extend their unbeaten run to seven games. The visitors had an opportunity in the second minute when the Saracens' keeper picked up a back pass, but Scott Vincent fired high and wide. Bassett had the better of the opening 20 minutes and Steve Hale, in the Wiltshire side's goal, made his first real stop on 22 minutes by saving a Saracens free kick. And Bassett almost opened the scoring after 35 minutes when Giles found Vincent who fired just over the bar. However, three minutes later, he made no mistake. Franklin's throw in on the right saw Vincent turn the defender and volley the ball into the bottom left-hand corner. Bassett justifiably went in 1-0 up at half time.

The second half saw Saracens push forward early on and on 52 minutes, they equalised. A shot from 25 yards by Lightstone buried into the bottom corner, giving Hale no chance. Previous weeks would have seen Bassett struggle but, eight minutes later, they were back in front. Paul Davis found Scott Vincent with a through ball who was fouled on the edge of the box. From the free-kick, Gary Ashford volleyed in to put Bassett 2-1 up. Two minutes later, Vincent almost made it 3-1 when he fired just over. On 75 minutes. Davis again released Vincent with a through ball and after beating the off-side trap. he drew the keeper and calmly slotted the ball home to make it 3-1. Bassett thoroughly deserved their win with Paul Davis, Simon Green, Barry Giles and keeper Steve Hale tremendous at the back. This was an outstanding team performance after a disappointing last three weeks. The league leaders looked more like the side in the bottom half of the table as Bassett deservedly got the three points.

Credit: John Reynolds
Last modified on Monday 25th January 2021 at 14:06