Wootton Bassett had to win this game to get back on track after a couple of defeats and get the result they deserved. Bassett got off to a fine start by playing some splendid football and were a goal to the good after six minutes. Jeremy Newton got away and put in a cross for Martin Cooper to finish with a powerful header and it was one-way traffic from then on. Whatever Watlington did to break out, it was easily dealt with by a Bassett defence which looked like it as back to its formidable best of last season, although the opposition lacked the ideas up front.

Bassett were now constantly on the attack and had another goal on 22 minutes with Newton the scorer this time. Racing in from the left, he hit a ball across the area into the net. Again, Bassett attacked and maybe a slight lapse in concentration let Watlington back into the game. No 7 Heycock scored after the ball ran loose but Bassett then got it back together for, just four minutes later, Cooper got his second and Bassett's third. This goal came via a defensive mix-up, but Cooper had to be strong to finish in what was a good first half for Bassett.

The first two minutes of the second half saw Bassett under pressure - but they soon sorted themselves out and continued where they left off. Cooper was unlucky not to get his third on 50 minutes after a good ball win and pass from Hyde. Again it was Cooper, on the right, who was causing Watlington defence all sorts of problems, but it was Hale who came to Bassett's rescue in the 55 minutes with a fine save. Franklin then had a good run in beating three players on the way and was unlucky not to score. The game ended with Bassett cruising and Watlington not having any ideas of how to get back into the game. But it was a much-needed win for Dave Warren and Bassett.

Credit: John Reynolds
Last modified on Monday 25th January 2021 at 15:28