Lew Hill Memorial Ground, 21st September 2013

After a 7-0 shellacking at the hands of Odd Down, Wootton Bassett Town have another FA Vase horror show to add to their inglorious list of misadventures in the competition.

Jeff Roberts' first venture into the tournament as Bassett boss may not have been the club's worst ever Vase defeat, but it was by far the most disappointing result and performance he has overseen during his short time in the Bassett hotseat.

And it hurt. That fact is demonstrated by the manager's decision to deliver an extended lecture to his team, who went into the game on the back of a reasonable stretch of form in the Hellenic League Premier Division, on the pitch following the full time whistle.

Quite rightly no one section of the team was spared his wrath. The defence provided too many gaping holes for Odd Down to exploit, the midfield failed to offer any kind of protection to the back four, while up front little was on offer as Lee Stevens and Lewis Chatwin were forced to feed off scraps.

If anything Bassett were lucky to get nil.

They were behind within ten minutes when Brad Norris was given far too much time on the right wing and curled a cross into the box, which caught ‘keeper Wes Clarke out and nestled into the opposite bottom corner.

Three minutes later the lead was doubled. Taking advantage of Aaron Stevens dithering on the ball too long, Norris stole possession before quickly slamming a 25 yard drive into the top left corner.

Victims of a stunning, quick-fire two-goal salvo, Bassett were shell-shocked, a situation which only invited further pressure as the visitors sought to chase the game.

Mike Baker saw a shot deflected inches wide by Steve Yeardley after the defence was again stretched by a ball over the top into the channel. Moments later Jordan Roberts was caught in possession and Kye Simpson powered past Adam Corcoran only to see his shot repelled by Clarke's feet. The rebound fell to Rory Kay who was denied by Clarke, who had to spring quickly to his feet and fling himself across goal.

Clarke again made a double save from Simpson and his brother Troy, but he could do little to deny Kay on 26 minutes. Given too much freedom in the centre of the park, Joe Raynes turned and picked out the run inside from the left from Kay, who, in behind the defence, confidently slotted hom

Still Odd Down came, Kye Simpson twice failing to find the back of the net after latching onto defence splitting passes.

Bassett were then finally able to put together a couple of threatening attacks, but failed to convert. Sam Packer saw a dangerous cross fly across the six yard box with no forward willing to gamble, Chatwin then sent a towering header just over before Sam Ockwell forced Kane Mannings to save on the dive.

A goal then could have provided the visitors a lifeline, albeit undeserved.

Alas it was 4-0 within five minutes of the restart. Ben White had plenty of time to deliver his cross from the right and an unmarked Norris steered in from close range to complete his hat trick.

A fifth quickly beckoned, Clarke parrying wide from Simpson following a swift counter from a Bassett free kick that was squandered.

It eventually arrived shortly after the hour when Corcoran's attempted clearing header from a Ashley Scott free kick bounced off an attacker and fell to the feet of Simpson who rammed home.

With nine minutes to go Clarke fumbled Sam Antsey's low cross, allowing Baker to tap in for six.

The rout was then well and truly completed in the final minute as Rich Dawley rounded off a decisive move with a drilled finish from a Simpson through ball.

Bassett's past three games in the Vase have now seen them suffer defeats by four, six and seven goals. It's a record that can't get any worse, surely?

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