Wootton Bassett TownWBTFC
Chipping Norton Town
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Chipping Norton Town Logo

WBTFC Scorers:
John Magani

Chipping Norton chip away at the Sinking Ship

Rylands Way, Saturday 28 February 2004

Chipping Norton stuck four past Bassett in a humiliating defeat that leaves Bassett with a lot to do if they are going to climb out the relegation zone. John Magani could only add a consolation goal for Bassett on a day when lady luck just did not run for Bassett.

The game started off closely with neither team able to create a decent chance on goal in the early exchanges. The first real action in the game was when Steve Tavinor was booked for a late lunge on Geoff Swatton in the twelfth minute.

Ten minutes later Swatton came close when Richard Barrett parried his shot; Stewart Bellinger having the rebound blocked following a Nathan Hall ball.

Steve Bizley was hardly troubled in the 23rd minute when he comfortably saved a Mark Dennis effort.

Bassett fell behind in the 28th minute when Rich Willis upended Neil Maskell in the box and Jason Court put the resulting penalty away. This after experienced Mark Vaughan had given the ball away in midfield.

Swatton came close again on the half hour but his shot was easily saved before Dennis was booked for a late foul.

Mark Odom doubled the lead for Chipping Norton six minutes from the break when he hit in with the outside of his boot, from a Leon Canning ball. He came close again just before the break but hit wide of the target.

Six minutes into the second half – on a Chipping Norton counter attack – Danny Cleevely came close as he headed wide an Odom cross. Geoff Swatton was booked in the 53rd minute for a foul.

Bassett brought on new signing Steve Bunting in the 55th minute as he replaced Lee Morse. Three minutes later Magani halved the deficit after taking the ball around the Chipping Norton defence and coolly shot over Barrett, the ball trickling over the line much to the delight of the Bassett faithful.

Bassett brought Ben Gascoyne on for Nathan Hall in the 62nd minute to give themselves another attacking option. Bassett continued to press but didn't really pose a threat in front of goal.

Phil Dexter came close for the visitors six minutes from time when he shot wide from eighteen yards out after the Bassett defence failed to clear an attack.

Andy Hallett replaced Richard Gee in the 85th minute. Steve Yeardley was booked in the 89th minute before Canning made it three from the resulting free kick. Seven minutes into stoppage time Darren Mills made it a rather flattering four when he put the ball in the back of the net amidst a goalmouth scramble; Bizley perhaps should have saved this shot but it did take an unfortunate bobble.

Bassett now head to Pewsey on Saturday in what could be the biggest game of the year for both sides who are both in the bottom three.

Scoop's Man of the Match: Paul Patel – played well down the left and created some good chances.

Scoop Rating: 5/10 – Lack of finishing and sloppy defending at set pieces cost points once more.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 5th September 2020 at 12:37

Wootton Bassett TownWBTFC
Chipping Norton Town
Wootton Bassett Town Logo
1 ‒ 4
Chipping Norton Town Logo

WBTFC Scorers:
John Magani