Waterside Park, 28th October 2014

An inspired midweek display lifted Wootton Bassett Town to a fantastic 3-1 victory over Thatcham Town, making it two wins on the trot for Paul Braithwaite's side.

As usual this season, Bassett had to dig deep to secure the points.

The visitors had earned a two goal lead at the break, but the introduction in the second half of Richard Witt and Ray Spence by Thatcham turned the tide of the game, the latter eventually halving the deficit when he cut inside James Skinner and fired beyond Ben Mitchell. With the way the game was heading at that stage it appeared as though an equaliser was on the cards.

But, holding precariously on to a 2-1 advantage, Nathan Gambling - without a goal since September 10th - crashed a stunning half volley in the top corner from the edge of the box to make certain of victory and allow for a sigh of relief with eight minutes remaining.

Bassett had been at their best in the opening period, their performance being initially rewarded after eleven minutes when Lewis Petrie's hold up play brought Dan Bailey into the game and his cross was headed in by Steve Yeardley at the near post.

Midway through the period it was two. Callum Wright delivered a cross from the right wing, and with Petrie causing trouble in the area Thatcham diverted the ball into their own net.

The hosts had a chance when they missed an open goal from a rebound off the bar, but the half time score was arguably a fair one.

A Thatcham reaction after the restart was to be expected and soon arrived, though it took a while for pressure to be converted into a goal.

Yet Gambling eventually settled any nerves that had developed in grand style.

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