Abingdon United
Wootton Bassett TownWBTFC
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Touch of Bad Luck Costs Bassett in Opener

Northcourt Road, 21 August 2004

A deft touch from Paul Patel in the 37th minute gave 10 men Abingdon a lucky three points against a sharp Bassett side.

New 'keeper Lee Flynn looked comfortable between the sticks as Bassett held out an attacking Abingdon side. Early shots from Marc O'Hara and Richard Pierson caused Flynn no trouble as he easily saw them either go wide or over.

In the 19th minute, Flynn was made to tip over a dangerous Andy Marriott header after the home sides forward connected with a deep cross from the left hand side.

From the resulting corner an O'Hara head was cleared off the line before six minutes later, Mikeas Herbert headed over from another set piece.

Bassett's first chance came just before the half hour mark – a Matt Bennett shot from the edge of the area comfortably held by Carl Wilkins. Geoff Swatton then had a free kick from twenty yards easily held by Wilkins on 35 minutes.

Swatton nearly gave Bassett the lead in the 36th minute when he beat the oncoming Wilkins to the ball and lobbed the Abingdon shot stopper, but the ball trickled just wide of the mark.

A minute later disaster struck for Bassett as Paul Patel added a deft touch to a deep cross and turned the ball past the helpless Flynn.

Bennett hit wide from twenty yards to finish a good but nervous first half for Bassett, especially at the back.

Two minutes after the restart Flynn was caught off his line from an O'Hara corner but Richard Pierson failed to hit the target, heading wide.

An O'Hara free kick eight minutes later allowed Marriott a free head but he headed over after losing his marker.

Marriott came close again on the hour mark after breaking through the defence but he shot over from eighteen yards.

Mark Vaughan replaced the quiet Steve Bunting three minutes later before Lee Morse forced a good save from Wilkins as Morse's free kick was palmed wide.

Swatton was replaced by Dave Tyler in the 73rd minute and John Magani pushed up front in search of an equaliser.

With fifteen minutes to go, Marriott received his marching orders for a late challenge on Adam Greaney which forced Greaney off and he was later replaced by Rob Hopkins.

Bassett gained momentum from having the extra man and Bennett came close again with eight minutes to go but Wilkins saved.

Abingdon sub Danny Wise nearly doubled the lead in the 88th minute when he was one-on-one with Flynn but Flynn blocked his low shot.

Bassett had one last chance to salvage a point in injury time but Dave Tyler's pot shot from forty yards went just over.

Scoop's Man of the Match: Adam Greaney – Had a great game before injury forced his substitution, showed confidence and poise in his first game back since returning from university.

Scoop Rating: 7/10 – A good team display although a bit edgy. Lacked finishing in the final third but a good performance to start the year.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Thursday 24th September 2020 at 09:06

Abingdon United
Wootton Bassett TownWBTFC
Abingdon United Logo
1 ‒ 0
Wootton Bassett Town Logo

WBTFC Scorers:
None