Two weeks ago Stratton Juniors defeated Wootton Bassett Town 7-1 on their own patch and must have been expecting an easy three points. However, they were in for a shock as Wootton Bassett put in an inspired and spirited performance, despite having only the bare eleven men and star man Jonny Aitkenhead having to play in goal due to them having no recognised keeper available. Bassett started the brighter of the two sides and went in front following a free kick on the right which was whipped in by Callum Snooks, helped towards goal by Dan Strange but finally bundled in by Tom Marchment to give the visitors the lead. The closest either side game to adding to the scoring was when Bassett's Ashley Warren raced clear of the Stratton defence and fired in a shot that hit the far post and then ran across the length of the goal and into the grateful hands of the Stratton keeper. Stratton came out fighting in the second half but fell further behind to a cross-come shot from Phillip Tearle, which the Stratton keeper could only palm into his net. The game became very physical after that with Stratton pushing forward in search of a goal to get them back into the game. They succeeded with a powerful header from Dave Glover from a corner. Bassett had the chance to seal all three points when Callum Snooks was put in one on one against the Stratton keeper but his lob was palmed to safety by the keeper. In the dying minutes Stratton should have equalised when Martin Ayres was put clean through but somehow he volleyed over. Bassett weathered the storm to hold on to secure the three points and an amazing turn around from the heavy defeat at Ballards Ash a fortnight earlier. The game saw four players booked, including three from Stratton and this defeat could prove costly for Stratton in the final run in.

Credit: Mark Smedley
Last modified on Thursday 3rd December 2020 at 13:33