Royal Wootton Bassett Town made it three straight league victories with a 3-1 triumph away against lowly Brackley Town Saints.

Away games have been rare occasions in recent times for Royal Wootton Bassett Town, but Rich Hunter's team made sure they made the most of their latest venture outside of Wiltshire, recording a hard-fought 3-1 triumph against Brackley Town Saints.

A Steve Robertson brace, a late strike from debutant Kias Bonner-Shea and a series of outstanding saves from in-form 'keeper Curtis Meare saw off the Saints' sprightly challenge.

The home side had the majority of possession throughout the game as their 4-5-1 formation allowed them to dominate the centre of the pitch. But, as was the case when they visited the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground at the end of the August, Brackley were hurt by a lack of conviction in front of goal. And Bassett made them pay for that weakness.

The visitors went ahead midway through the opening period when Robertson's low, fizzing shot from the edge of the area found the bottom corner.

There were chances for Bassett to be further in front before half time too. Taking advantage of Brackley's lack of height, Dan Bailey almost headed in from a corner. Sam Packer then failed to find the target from close range after Bailey had flicked on Steve Yeardley's cross. Bailey remained at the heart of the action as he sent a long range drive just past the post.

Brackley had one opportunity prior to the break, but - foreshadowing what was to come after the restart - Meare pulled off a brilliant one handed save to tip an effort from outside the area over the bar.

Sensing that the game was there for the taking, the Saints stormed out of the blocks upon the resumption of play.

A lapse in concentration from Dale Richards and a mix-up between Meare and Liam Edmondson offered early openings, which led only to shots falling off target. The hosts then somehow managed to blaze over from six yards out.

Robertson soon demonstrated the art of finishing to Brackley again. Completely against the run of play, he doubled Bassett's lead, slotting in from Packer's trademark clever reverse pass.

That goal failed to relieve the pressure Bassett were coming under, yet fortunately Meare was on hand to keep his side's noses in front. Two outstanding point blank saves and outstanding diving save to steer a thirty-yard free kick around the post and another assured stop kept Brackley out.

Eventually they did find a way past the Bassett stopper, as Kyle Wynne reacted quickest to a cracking drive which had struck the bar.

However, Bassett were quickly able to restore their two-goal advantage and prevent a late comeback. Pouncing on a corner that had been flicked on at the near post, substitute Bonner-Shea – signed from Shrivenham – struck low and into the back of the net.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 10th December 2016 at 17:03