Rylands Way, 20th March 2012
It may end up coming all too late, but Wootton Bassett Town's fine form continued as they beat Clanfield - themselves on a good run - 3-1 to close the gap between Dave Turner's team and fourth place Purton to just a single point.
Having lost prolific forward Sam Collier to Southern League Abingdon United early in the season, Bassett - the fourth top scorers in Division One West - have seen their goals spread around the team. And that was once again the case on this March evening.
Defender Liam Edmondson set his side on their way in the 25th minute, netting his second in as many games, before an old, but familiar face doubled the advantage moments later. With his side out of action, Collier made a cameo appearance for the team he helped spearhead to promotion two seasons ago. And ever the centre of attention, he duly found the back of the net with a booming first time strike that nestled in the bottom corner.
The visitors have also found their groove as the season draws to a close. And having shot up the table in recent weeks, they were not going to offer an easy match-up for the hosts. With the second half just six minutes old, Adam Little halved the deficit and it was game on.
But with time winding down youngster Ethan Delaney, who has admirably risen to the unenviable task of filling Collier's previous role, bagged his tenth league goal of the campaign to seal the three points.
With Clanfield's chances now extinguished, their frustrations showed in the final minute when goalscorer Little received his marching orders for violent conduct.
That is now three wins from the past four fixtures for Bassett and sees them hot on the heels of Purton and six points behind third place Winterbourne with a game in hand over the latter. With the weekend off, there is now time to recharge those batteries ahead of the visit to Cricklade Town before three home matches to finish the campaign. Win those four and, who knows, there may be a late reward to savour.
Last modified on Monday 22nd June 2015 at 23:38
