Abingdon United delivered a crushing blow to Wootton Bassett Town as they inflicted a 5-1 defeat on a Bassett side that lacked desire and effort. The loss enforced another blow to Bassett as manager Pete Yeardley called time on his four-year spell in the Bassett hot seat.Abingdon scored their first inside two minutes when Graham Edney tapped in unmarked at the far post following a cross from the left.
Five minutes later, Ryan Curtin struck just wide from a free kick twenty yards out.
Rich Gee nearly levelled for Bassett just after the quarter hour mark when he hit a curling shot from just outside the box, which Abingdon 'keeper Carl Wilkins brilliantly tipped away, diving to his left.
Curtin came close again on 25 minutes, glancing a Richard Pierson ball towards goal, which Lee Flynn held.
Matt Bennett squandered a chance for Bassett seven minutes later before Curtin doubled the lead for Abingdon, striking in at the back post, again unmarked from a Lee Fuller cross.
On the stroke of half time, Geoff Swatton struck wide from fifteen yards after Stu Hemsley set him through with a neat through ball.
Five minutes into the second half, Swatton met a Harry Hambidge corner with his head but the ball went sailing wide.
Bassett had Stu Hemsley booked for a foul just before Hemsley made way for Steve Bunting in the 56th minute.
Debutant Hambidge was then substituted eight minutes later as John Magani replaced the right-winger.
Abingdon stretched their lead to three halfway through the second period when Flynn fumbled a Fuller corner, the ball going over the line.
With fifteen minutes to go Chris Mills replaced Dave Tyler for Bassett.
Two minutes later it was four for Abingdon as Edney tapped into an empty net after a Flynn clearance had been deflected into the path of Edney by substitute Anaclet Odihambo.
Steve Yeardley was then booked for a foul before, with seven minutes left, Matty Bennett brought Bassett back into the game.
A great run down the left by the impressive Ashley Bradshaw led to Bradshaw squaring the ball to Bennett who struck into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the area.
Abingdon weren't finished though as Odihambo came close in the 85th minute before grabbing a goal in the 87th; the Abingdon striker striking home from fifteen yards after more poor defending.
On a day when Bassett failed to connect five consecutive passes and lacked the desire required to get back into the game, it was no wonder Yeardley called it time in a disappointing season. It is now up to the players to stay on and try resurrect their season as Bassett fell further adrift after Pewsey won.
Scoop's Man of the Match: Ashley Bradshaw – showed great determination and hunger at the back; did brilliantly to set up Bennett's finish.
Scoop Rating: 3/10 – An awful display from a side that lacked effort and desire.
