Deprived of four regular players (David Lazenby, Matt Purse, Tom Marchment and Sean Toomey), Wootton Bassett Town visited league leaders Ferndale Rodbourne and gave a spirited performance. Forced into playing goalkeeper Tom Holmes in attack, due to a shortage of players, Bassett worked hard to deny the home side the win which would put them seven points clear at the top of the league. At times Bassett's defence rode their luck but they continued to frustrate the home side for much of the first half. The home side did manage to get themselves in front from a scrambled goal on 20 minutes. After working so hard to deny the league leaders, it was tough to go behind to such a sloppy goal.

The second half saw Bassett have more of the possession and they did manage to create one or two openings of their own, but no real clear cut chances, Jonny Aitkenhead and Phillip Tearle generally being the creators of Bassett's better chances. Josh Dimond continued to work tirelessly in midfield for Bassett and again Bassett were able to restrict the leagues top scoring side to a few half chances. Bassett's man of the match Dan Strange, who had come off his sick bed to play, kept the lively Adam Leighfield in check for most of the match. With ten minutes remaining Ferndale extended their lead with a fierce shot from the edge of the box which keeper Craig Munday had no chance of stopping. A cracking goal to secure all three points. In the end the league leaders deserved their win but Bassett made them work hard for the three points which makes Ferndale now clear favourites for the title.

Players Man of the Match: Tom Holmes

Managers Man of the Match: Dan Strange

Credit: Mark Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 21st November 2020 at 21:09