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Pressure is continuing to increase on Wootton Bassett Town as they slipped further behind at the bottom of the table after a 5-1 defeat to Tuffley Rovers. It is now a question of winning the remainder of their games or be relegated to Division One; winning out seems a far fetched ordeal with more tough games ahead and performances like this being put in.
Chris Jones' side endured another dismal afternoon and were behind within three minutes when an outstretched Matthew Storey was on the end of a Liam Halliday cross and struck in from ten yards on the volley.
Bassett's day got worse in the 17th minute when a Rich Willis own goal doubled the visitors' lead. Kacey Johnstone flicked on an out-swinging Aaron Parker corner and Willis powered a header straight into his own net, past the helpless Daryl Simms.
A five-minute brace from Richard James then ensured that the points were Tuffley's with only half an hour gone. On 27 minutes, James shot in from twelve yards after Rob Hopkins blocked his first shot on the line.
In the 32nd minute Storey picked an unmarked James out at the far post and James easily headed home.
Steve Yeardley gave Bassett a faint sense of hope before half time, curling in a beautifully struck free kick with four minutes to go before the break.
However, Johnstone settled things in the 82nd minute as he slotted home for the fifth goal after Rob Hopkins stood off his marker.
The run in from now to the end of the year doesn't instil confidence of surviving in the Premier Division for next year with games against Witney, Pewsey, Almondsbury, Bishops Cleeve, Bicester, Carterton and Highworth.
The only games Bassett look like they could have a chance in are against Bicester and Pewsey but with six points from these, it wouldn't be anywhere near enough to bridge the eleven point gap needed.
Scoop's Man of the Match: Steve Yeardley – wanted to win the game and scored a brilliant goal. Yeardley worked hard and tried to get the side back into the match unlike the rest of the team.
Scoop Rating: 3/10 – Another dismal effort in a game, which looked quite even on paper. Tuffley totally outplayed their opponents and Bassett made Tuffley look much better than their league position suggests.
Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Wednesday 16th September 2020 at 14:15