After a month long layoff without a game, Wootton Bassett Town Under 18s were finally back in action.
Second placed Corsham were their hosts, and whilst Bassett put in a spirited performance, Corsham ran out 5-2 winners after a flurry of goals in the second half.
But Bassett were made to rue a string of missed chances with the score at 3-2. Firstly, Dan Strange's chip pass set Tom Marchment free in behind the Corsham defence. He beat the host's 'keeper but could only find the post and the rebound fell to James Baker.
The ball took a bobble at the forward's feet, meaning he was unable to tap into an open net and his effort was parried onto the post by the 'keeper, who was able to scramble back onto his line.
Minutes later Josh Dimond missed another golden opportunity. Standing unmarked ten yards from goal though, he failed to connect with a cross from the left.
A soft fourth goal followed after lazy play all around allowed the ball to be powerfully struck home after a long pass up the middle.
The fifth soon followed as 'keeper Rich Hanley spilt a powerful cross, allowing a forward to gobble up the rebound.
Bassett had fell behind to a soft goal in the first place as Strange diverted a low cross from the right into his own net following a period of sustained pressure early on.
Dean Wason was gifted an equaliser when the Corsham 'keeper saw a back pass bobble over his foot and the midfield ran in to tap into an empty net.
The hosts held the lead going into the break when they were awarded a penalty after Matt Povey was cruelly judged to have handled in the box. Hanley got a hand to the spot kick but couldn't keep it out.
At the start of the second half, Bassett were the better team and equalised when Craig Kelly headed home a James Baker free kick after completely losing his man.
However, a third followed shortly after for Corsham. The missed chances proved costly, allowing the hosts to put comfortable distance between themselves and Bassett.
Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Wednesday 30th December 2020 at 22:04
