Wootton Bassett TownWBTFC
Cheltenham Saracens
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Cheltenham Saracens Logo

WBTFC Scorers:
Geoff Swatton

Saras Shock Sloppy Bassett

Rylands Way, Saturday 1 November 2003

Nick Locke and Lloyd Arkell were on target for Cheltenham Saracens as they rolled over Bassett to cause a huge upset taking advantage of another lacklustre Bassett performance. Geoff Swatton scored for Bassett, but that was of little consolation in a game Bassett never looked like they were going to win.

Locke put the visitors ahead after only six minutes when he followed up an Andrew Staines ball to volley home on his second shot after a good counter attack by Staines down the right.

Geoff Swatton came close for Bassett a minute later as he tried to lob 'keeper Ryan Betteridge.

Bassett were forced to make a change early on as Andy Hallett came off with a bleeding nose as Stu Lamont made his comeback, after spending six months in Iraq.

On ten minutes Staines shot straight at Rich Stevens from the edge of the area. Eight minutes later Swatton equalised. Neil Bridges laid a short corner to Sam Reason who crossed in and 'keeper Betteridge spilled the ball which fell to Swatton who fired home from close range.

Cheltenham were dominating play up to this point, playing Bassett off the park who, in turn, were sloppy and chasing the ball most of the first half.

On thirty seven minutes Staines and Locke combined again with Staines hitting over from fifteen yards.

Two minutes from the break Rich Willis came close for Bassett as he connected with a Mark Simpkins ball but Willis headed wide of the target.

Three minutes after the restart Swatton came close, hitting over from twenty five yards. Lamont was next to come close for Bassett as he connected with a Paul Patel corner but the Scot toe poked the ball wide.

On fifty seven minutes Neil Bridges shot hard from the edge of the area but he hit wide. Bassett then brought John Magani on for Carl Taylor.

On the hour mark Paul Davis prevented the visitors regaining the lead when he had to clear a Ross Constantine volley off the line after Rich Stevens was caught off his line trying to collect a cross. Stevens then fisted a Constantine corner wide after it took a deflection on its way through.

On sixty two minutes Swatton found himself through on goal but Betteridge made a fine save of Swatton's effort from fifteen yards.

Cheltenham took the lead through Lloyd Arkell in the 71st minute when he connected with a through ball unmarked and fired past Stevens to give Saracens the lead again. Sam Reason was then replaced by Steve Yeardley.

On 86 minutes Neil Bridges played through John Magani who danced round two defenders but fired his shot over after being one-on-one with Betteridge. Bassett didn't look like scoring again as they showed no real sense of urgency to get to the ball and attack.

A poor performance by Bassett putting them out of another cup – with Bassett only left in the County Cup. Two big games lie ahead if Bassett want to climb the table – next Saturday comes a tough game at high flying Chipping Norton Town and then the next Tuesday home to fellow strugglers Pewsey Vale – two must win games before tough games against Brackley and then North Leigh.

Scoop's Man of the Match: Stu Lamont – a good comeback game standing out at the back, needs more games though to become accustomed with the pace of the game again.

Scoop Rating: 5/10 – A very poor performance – there was no sense of urgency to try and get back in the game.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Thursday 3rd September 2020 at 10:34

Wootton Bassett TownWBTFC
Cheltenham Saracens
Wootton Bassett Town Logo
1 ‒ 2
Cheltenham Saracens Logo

WBTFC Scorers:
Geoff Swatton