Rylands Way, 17th March 2012

Trailing by two goals to nil to local rivals Malmesbury Victoria at half time, it felt as though a repeat of Wootton Bassett Town's opening day nightmare was on the cards. But a four goal second half ensured a memorable comeback and that Dave Turner's team secured all three points.

There was to be no doubt that Malmesbury would come out of the gates all guns blazing, as they did when the two teams met back in August. And a shock seemed likely again as two goals midway through the opening period had Bassett's backs against the wall. Ed Wilkins broke the deadlock just after the quarter hour mark before Chris Salt deepened the wound further with a strike on 25 minutes.

Both goals were avoidable, with the visitors aided by defensive errors. What was not deniable was that Bassett had plenty to do to get themselves in a position to rescue merely a point.

Yet in the end, they would go further than salvaging a draw.

Eight minutes after the restart defender Liam Edmondson provided hope with only his second goal of the season; his only other strike came in the cup victory over Carterton - another day when Bassett scored four to come from behind and win.

The equaliser came from a more traditional source as free scoring midfielder Matt Bown struck his 16th of the season shortly after the hour.

Last week Turner's team had seen Purton overcome a two goal deficit only to go on and lose. Malmesbury, however, had run out of steam, having expended so much energy in the opening stanza.

And Bassett ensured the home team would stay in the ascendancy with two goals in quick succession. On 68 minutes Ethan Delaney pounced to make it 3-2 before the veteran Alex Green popped up moments later to put the result beyond doubt.

It would have been a perfect second half had James Blake not been sent off for violent conduct in the final minute.

The three points lifted Bassett up into fifth. However, after the midweek defeat to Winterbourne United any hopes of snagging third spot are a faint dream, although being mathematically possible.

Still, this was a win to savour and demonstrated that pride continues to means something despite it being the dog-end of the season.

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