Rylands Way, 2nd September 2006

Nathan Hall's second goal of the season midway through the first half was enough for Wootton Bassett Town to end their winless skid as they edged out Cheltenham Saracens.

Having not won since the third game of the year, Bassett needed to get their season back on track and did so, despite producing only a couple clear cut opportunities and riding a small wave of luck in the second half.

Miscommunication between Lee Beavis and John Haines should have gifted Cheltenham the lead with eight minutes gone but Brendon Quinn struck wide after being forced away from goal by Haines.

A minute later Hall found the post for the home side after John Magani had twisted his way past two defenders and unselfishly squared to Hall who was lurching just inside the box.

A flowing move that started from inside their own half created Bassett's winner in the 25th minute. After stroking the ball around deep in the left hand corner, Rich Gee's through ball was raced onto by Magani. Magani cut back from the byline to Hall who stroked the ball home from ten yards.

The game continued to be a midfield battle with only a few half chances being created as Bassett saw out the first half with relatively little trouble.

The second half was much the same as the first – nondescript as both sides battled in the winds.

With just under an hour gone Haines pulled off a dramatic diving save as he managed to get a hand to Leigh Rayson's header from six yards. The ball then fell to Alex Moxey but he blasted over when he should have done better.

Bassett began to look nervous as the clock winded down – the introductions of Jon Davis and Mark King meant both had to get themselves into the game which allowed the visitors to apply more pressure.

However this pressure could only generate one more chance and it was a very lucky chance at that with two minutes remaining. Chris Palmer's free kick from inside his own half was straight at Haines who let the ball bounce, forcing him to have to adjust to the ball and tip it onto the bar. Mike Wilce pounced on the rebound but shot over from close range at the far post.

It wasn't the most convincing victory but the three points are all that matters as Bassett finally put an end to their barren run.

Scoop's Man of the Match: Andy Hallett – composed at the back and his pass began the move that created Hall's decisive goal.

Scoop Rating: 6/10 – Did enough for the victory, edging a midfield battle where chances were few and far between.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 20th September 2020 at 14:47