Rylands Way, 13th October 2012

They say class is permanent. And 33 year old Shaun Terry proved that maxim in Wootton Bassett Town's Wiltshire Senior Cup first round clash with New College, scoring three goals in a fifteen minute first half spell as his side emphatically crushed their opponents – whose average age was surely no more than twenty – 7-2.

His goals ranged from the simple to the sublime, proving that Terry is still capable of causing damage despite the hindering effects of his serious knee injury suffered against Easington Sports in 2009.

The first of the veteran maestro's hat-trick haul came on 17 minutes and helped draw Bassett level after Josh Skeates had given the visitors an early lead when he tapped in at the far post following the home defence's failure to react to a short free kick routine.

James Turner looped a perfectly weighted lofted pass forwards, and with his first touch Terry lifted the ball over his marker before powerfully firing over ‘keeper Alex Swatridge from 30 yards, despite being at full stretch. It was a finish of distinct quality.

Nine minutes later he netted a second in much more comfortable fashion. Turner's through ball split the defence and set Mark Barnes one-on-one with Swatridge. It should have been the team's leading scorer who netted but a heavy first touch took Barnes too far away from goal. Unselfishly, he checked back and squared for Terry, who found the gap between two defenders from close range.

It could have been a much faster hat-trick had a defender not blocked a steered effort that seemed destined for the bottom right corner after a surging run and teasing cross from Jack Ellis.

Just before the half hour Barnes had a chance to break his duck for the afternoon too. Ethan Delaney threaded the needle with a crisp pass, and with a shot from the left edge of the area Barnes clipped the near post.

While his teammates were becoming frustrated at not being able to get on the score sheet, Terry continued to show them how it was done, giving his side a clear two goal lead just after the half hour mark. Delaney sprinted down the left wing and from the byline delivered a pin-point low cross that the old-timer expertly guided into the bottom right corner from twelve yards.

Barnes then again found the woodwork, his acrobatic, flying volley deserving more as it crashed off the post following Ellis' towering cross. He eventually netted as half time loomed to make it 4-1. Matt Bown stole possession deep inside New College territory, and slipped through Barnes, who slotted home on the rebound having seen his initial low strike blocked.

The goals continued to flow following the restart. Ellis was rewarded for a fine display when he netted in the 53rd minute. It was a fine finish too, as the youngster directed a perfectly controlled half volley into the opposite tight corner from Barnes' left wing delivery.

Midway through the period, Barnes was needlessly upended in the box and Bown stroked home the resultant penalty.

New College, who admirably continued to stroke the ball around despite the game being beyond them, grabbed a second completely against the run of play when Jamie Pidgeon turned Adam Clarke's square ball beyond the reach of James Domm.

Bassett had the last say though, scoring a seventh. Barnes raced onto a ball over the top before picking out the bottom left corner with his second touch.

It was an emphatic display, none more so than that from Terry, whose virtuoso performance laid the foundations for a dominant victory.

Scoop's Man of the Match: Shaun Terry – he has scored hat tricks for Bassett before, but none were as impressive, or scored so fast, as this one. Terry's first was one of the goals of the season so far, while his smart movement, great interplay and predatory instincts made sure he had three in no time at all.

Scoop Rating: 8/10 – although Bassett began sloppily, after they went two goals in front the game became a procession. James Turner and Matt Bown were dominant in the heart of midfield, while outside men Ethan Delaney, Jack Ellis and second half substitution Matt Buckingham all caused problems. Then Barnes and Terry, from the whole, both excelled.

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