Rylands Way, 16th December 2008

The moment Oxford City Nomad's tricky winger John Rixon was brought down and referee Hamilton – believing the transgression occurred inside the penalty area – pointed to the spot, it appeared as though things couldn't get much worse for Wootton Bassett Town.

With just under half an hour gone, and the Nomads in buoyant mood following Ben Moses' 21st minute headed opener, another goal would have likely put Bassett in a hole they would not be able to dig themselves out of.

However, Moses did not account for Stewart Thompson, who produced an outstanding save to his left to parry the spot kick away to safety. Thompson is by no means lacking in the height department, however even then he was stretched to his limits in order to get to a ball, which appeared to have been expertly placed in the right corner.

His save marked the turnaround in the game, and two goals from Shaun Terry at the end of the first half turned out to be enough to ensure Dave Turner's side jumped to fifth.

Bassett had started out the better of the two sides and in the opening ten minutes came close twice to taking the lead.

A Shaun Carter header beat 'keeper Milan Barisic two minutes in, but Kieron Lewis was there to head off the line before Tom Ritchie fluffed his lines when presented with a clear sight of goal following a Lee Moulton cut back.

The visitors had little trouble in front of goal though, converting their first chance thanks to Moses.

Following this, Turner's side found themselves under the cosh as a Nomads side with an abundance of pace really put the Bassett defence to the sword.

They were not able to capitalise on this pressure though with Shaw missing when he should have done better followed by Moses' penalty miss.

Granted a lifeline, Terry made quick work of turning the tables. Four minutes before the break he provided a simple tap in after Ryan Banks could only find the post from close range following Richie Carter's chipped ball.

Minutes later Carter provided another pinpoint diagonal pass, which the Nomads defence could do nothing about. And Terry was there at the left post to smash the ball home from 12 yards.

The goals came at a time when the Nomads were still in relative control of the game, and throughout the second half they continued to control possession. Yet stiffer resistance from the Bassett backline meant they were limited mostly to half chances.

One fine chance did come with just under twenty minutes to go as Shaw was set free by Moses. However, just as in the first half, he wasted a fantastic opportunity, dragging his shot across the face of goal and well wide of the left post.

Instead, it could well have been three for Bassett. Twice before Shaw's opportunity chances were had by the hosts to kill the game off.

Firstly, Terry was unlucky not to complete his hat trick, curling an effort from what seemed to be an impossible angle on the right inches wide of the post.

Moments on, the Nomads were caught outnumbered with Scott Ward surging forward, but he played his pass behind Terry and Ryan Banks, who were both unmarked.

Then in the dying minutes a surging run down the left by Banks opened things up for Terry, but he curled a shot across goal and wide.

An unfortunate Terry was sent off in the dying seconds for apparent foul and abusive language, putting a dampener on what was otherwise a fantastic night.

Scoop's Man of the Match: Richie Carter – creator of the two goals and dynamic in the centre of midfield. Both going forward and defensive, he performed his duties admirably.

Scoop Rating: 7/10 – following an uneasy first half performance – in spite of the fact Bassett ended up in the lead by the end of the half – things really tightened up in the second period as the Nomads' dynamic attack was shut out.

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