Rylands Way, 2nd October 2007

Mistakes are always going to hurt a team, whether they are against a struggling side or a high-flying side. You make too many and you're going to lose. Wootton Bassett Town haven't seemed to work that out yet.

Despite a fantastic attacking display that saw Trowbridge Town ripped to shreds during the first half and for on and off spells throughout the second, their Wiltshire rivals came away with a 4-2 victory. Three of their goals came from Bassett mistakes.

The first came eight minutes in when Martin Thompson scuffed a clearance and Dave Percival slid through Mark Gerrish down the left and he comfortably beat Sean Purcell from 15 yards.

However Bassett were back on level terms 15 minutes in. Nathan Perkins swung in a perfectly placed corner, Steve Yeardley lost his marker, and the Bassett skipped emphatically headed home from 12 yards.

For the first time in a long time, conceding first had not dented Bassett's confidence. Up until six minutes before the break the chances fell solely to the home team.

Dennis King was first to test Trowbridge, firing a 30 yard free kick just over midway through the period.

Then Matty Bennett constantly torched Craig Brown down the right. Four times he was able to beat him and deliver in testing crosses.

Firstly, Lee Stoddart saw a diving header at the front post go inches wide. Thompson then volleyed just over after a Bennett corner was only half cleared.

Ten minutes before the break Bennett found John Magani's feet and the forward took a step away from his man before firing viciously at goal from 12 yards. Lewis Porter though was equal to the effort and did well to hold onto the powerfully struck shot.

A minute later a looping cross this time picked Stoddart out at the far post. The forward – making his first team return after a successful spell in the reserves – rose to the ball and headed goalwards but could only find the top of the bar and the ball bounced over.

Then came mistake number two at the back. Challenging for a throw in with Gerrish in the right corner, Rich Gee decided to try win the ball by going past the forward on the inside. Instead the throw was sent into the corner, Gerrish easily rolled Gee, whipped in a powerful cross and Matt Minnis diverted a header in from all of six yards.

Stoddart had another chance go begging at the other end as he got in front of his marker and struck low and first time from 10 yards. But a desperately stuck out boot from a Trowbridge defender deflected the effort wide.

On the stroke of half time the killer blow was struck. A quick break was initiated by a Porter boot up-field. Brown raced onto the ball and delivered a low cross from the left touchline and Minnis slid in after racing 50 yards from the centre of midfield for his second and Trowbridge's third.

The final and most telling error came with five minutes gone in the second period. Gee was caught in possession deep inside his own half by Gerrish, who slid in Percival for an easy one-on-one finish.

In the 55th minute a clever switch from left to right saw Bennett race in behind the visitors' defence. He struck a low shot from 15 yards across goal and another deflection took the ball wide of the post.

Substitute Andy White did get a goal back with 64 minutes on the clock, towering above the Trowbridge defence to head a Lee Morse free kick in over the head of a flat-footed Porter.

Trowbridge had seemingly learnt a lesson from Aston Villa the night before as they tightened up at the back, limiting Bassett to one more chance – another White header in injury time. White diverted a King cross towards goal but an acrobatic tip from Porter helped it over.

In the proceeding minutes, the contest got a bit tasty with a few late fouls and a confrontation between King and opposite number Lee Salter, resulting in both being booked. Stu Hemsley found himself cautioned for a high tackle earlier on whilst timewasting saw Percival and Brown find their names in the book.

Scoop's Man of the Match: Steve Yeardley – despite only playing 65 minutes, Yeardley had a large impact on the game from his right back position. He linked up superbly with Bennett, feeding him down the right and creating space for the winger with his timely overlapping runs.

Scoop Rating: 5/10 – Bassett had Trowbridge left for dead at times and were creating chances for fun in the first half. But three gifted goals saw confidence levels dip and cost Bassett at least a point against an average Trowbridge side, who aren't nearly as good as they think they are.

Last modified on Monday 22nd June 2015 at 23:38