Recreation Ground, 28th August 2005

For the second time in a week, Wootton Bassett Town had their game decided by a last minute goal. However this time the goal robbed Bassett of a valuable point as Chris Oram struck to give rivals Pewsey Vale a 2-1 victory.

Bassett put their opponents to the sword early on and were denied a handful of chances due to fine goalkeeping from Danny Holcroft.

With only a minute gone a Matty Bennett shot fell to Lee Marshall but Bassett's hero on Tuesday night had his shot tipped wide. The corner from Steve Bunting was connected with by Craig Maclaren who had his header saved.

Bennett created an opening in the 12th minute but his volley was blocked by former Bassett midfielder Harry Hambridge before Holcroft once again saved from a Maclaren header, this time after the Scot connected with a John Davis free kick.

Ben Gascoyne whipped in a cross for Bennett on 16 minutes but Bennett had his shot blocked. This allowed Pewsey to break and Adam Field crossed for Craig Wall, who volleyed home totally against the run of play. Bennett was injured in the process for Bassett and Moses Greene came on to replace him.

Greene's first chance almost produced a goal – a glancing header from a Gascoyne cross going inches wide.

With twelve minutes left before the break Stu Hemsley grabbed his third goal of the year and got Bassett a deserved equaliser. Hemsley curled in a free kick from the edge of the box into the top right hand corner, leaving Holcroft bewildered.

However Holcroft got the better of Hemsley four minutes after the break, producing a fine save from the energetic midfielder's volley.

Two minutes later a Bunting corner was once again met with a header from Maclaren but former Bassett defender Luke Sharps was there to clear the ball off the line.

Bassett continued to carve out chances but none were converted into the second goal needed – John Davis shot over from the edge of the box on the hour mark from a long throw before Leigh Jones hit just over after another throw.

Dwayne Quinn picked up another yellow card with twenty minutes remaining. An excellent run from Gascoyne gave him a sight on goal but his shot went wide of the upright.

Gascoyne then found the post with eleven minutes remaining. As Bassett battled for the elusive winner, Anthony McCusker was brought on for his Bassett debut to try and give extra impetus to the visiting side.

Adam Field gave Bassett a scare in the 82nd minute as he got behind the Bassett defence but his effort was well over in the end.

Tom Ritchie then missed an easy chance for Vale, his shot being totally mishit and ending up in the corner.

Pete Evans replaced Lee Marshall in the 87th minute, three minutes before the decisive goal from Oram.

Haines failed to hold onto a floated free kick and this resulted in a goalmouth scramble, where the ball fell to Oram and he was able to slip the ball into the back of the net.

McCusker had a half chance deep into injury time but Holcroft easily saved as Pewsey robbed Bassett of a much deserved point.

Chairman's Man of the Match: Stu Hemsley

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Thursday 17th September 2020 at 09:50