Winning at Nursteed Road, the home of Devizes Town, is something that Andy Stevens is used to as Bassett's Under 18s manager forged a successful playing and managing career at the club back in the day.

However, his latest win at the ground was more of a surprise as he guided his current charges to a 5-0 demolition of Devizes Under 18s, a team who before the match were 3rd in the Wiltshire Floodlit League table and had only lost to one other team than Bassett.

It was the second time this season Bassett had beaten Devizes after they mounted a comeback from 2-0 down at half time to win 4-3 in the opening game of the season.

But this victory was much more impressive considering the number of changes that had had to be made to the team.

'Keeper Rich Hanley's work commitments meant that Adam Miller was pressed into action after volunteering his services just hours before kick-off.

An altogether new left side was also in action as regular centre forward Tom Marchment was moved to the left hand side of midfielder due to an injury to Josh Dimond whilst Pete Willis – a midfielder by nature – was plugged in at left back.

The team was further depleted nearly an hour in when Phil Tearle was forced off through illness, and with the lack of any substitutions, Bassett were forced to battle on with ten men.

It didn't have much of a toll on the team though.

Craig Kelly – who was again impressive, and now is on the verge of a reserve team call-up – netted a brace, fellow central midfield partner George Drewitt grabbed one for his first for the club, whilst James Baker and Tom Marchment put away the others.

The win momentarily lifts Bassett above Westbury into sixth place. If performances in the same vain as this one are put in for the remainder of the season though, who knows if Bassett are able to claw their way above a team such as Devizes, who are now just five points ahead of Stevens' team.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Wednesday 30th December 2020 at 22:02