With two of the stronger sides playing each other, this was always going to be a titanic battle and this proved to be right.

WB started playing into a strong breeze in the first half and Lydiard used this to their advantage with long balls over the Wootton Bassett defence. Jamie Wakefield was forced to make two exceptional saves in the first few minutes, with George Bartlett, Nicholas Southern and Leigh Little all making telling challenges. In the first 10 minutes WB's two chances fell to Craig Mooney and Jordan Embling but both were long range and came to nothing. The wind played a part in both of Lydiard's opening goals, with long balls over the top for the attacker to run on to. 2 goals in 2 minutes. WB gradually got their passing game together and good work from a combination of Swann, Jackson and Tasker in midfield led to a free kick on the edge of the box with Little just putting it wide. Martyn Plaistow replaced an injured Embling after fifteen minutes. A good clearance by Alfie Passingham and a good run and shot by Mooney forced a save by the Lydiard keeper. Following a corner there was a scramble in the WB area and on 28 minutes the ball dribbled over the line to make it 3-0. Minutes later a good link up between Tasker and Passingham brought another save by the Lydiard Keeper.

Two minutes into the second half, WB were 4-0 down with another long ball catching out the defence which left Wakefield with no chance. This seemed to be the wake up call for WB and they started to play football the way that they can, passing the ball around and the midfield working harder and coming more into the game. Tasker and Jackson both forcing the keeper to save and then Plaistow just heading over the bar from a well timed cross from Passingham. James Pringle replaced an injured Little and Graeme Silk came on for a tiring Jordan Daley. Lydiard still dangerous on the break went 5-0 up from a shot from the edge of the box, beating Wakefield to his right. WB heads didn't drop and Joel Swann was rewarded for his tireless running, scoring from the edge of the box with a powerful shot that looked to go straight between the keepers hands. In the closing stages Mooney, Silk, Tasker and Swann all had shots on target.

On the day Wootton Bassett were beaten by a better side but gave an excellent account of themselves, heads didn't drop and a few good lessons were learnt.

Credit: Unknown
Last modified on Wednesday 25th November 2020 at 19:01