A Sam Packer brace and stunning Dale Richards volley ensured Royal Wootton Bassett Town signed off at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground for the season with a richly deserved 3-1 triumph against Longlevens.
Royal Wootton Bassett Town saved one of their best home performances of the season for last as they inflicted an emphatic 3-1 defeat on Longlevens.
Three outstanding goals - two for Sam Packer and a tenth of the season for Dale Richards - sealed a victory for Rich Hunter's side, which ensured they ended their second season at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground with a record of eight wins, a draw and eight defeats in the league.
Bassett's home form during the season has been a weak spot, with the formula for turning their new surrounding into a fortress proving elusive.
That indifferent record - which, thankfully, will not be a losing one for a second successive campaign - has arguably been the main reason as to why Bassett have failed to cement a secure position in the top half of the Hellenic League Premier Division.
But if they can repeat the performance put in against Longlevens throughout next year, then that will no doubt occur.
The hosts dominated in the early stages against their Gloucestershire visitors.
Immediately getting on the front foot, Bassett came close early on as good through balls from Richards and Packer almost created an opening. Richards then sent a fizzing low free kick across the face of goal, which required just a touch to guide it in. However, the ball somehow evaded those waiting to pounce.
Richards continued to cause panic in the Longlevens ranks, blazing just over with a left foot drive before Ryan Withers and Steve Robertson came agonisingly close. The former headed wide from a brilliant Nathan Hawkins cross, while Bassett's leading marksman saw an effort headed off the line.
The inevitable duly arrived midway through the half though as Richards smashed in a screaming volley from twenty yards.
In full flow, Bassett soon doubled their advantage with a well worked team goal. Richards set free Robertson, who produced a sublime cross, which Packer duly steered in.
Half time came as great relief for Longlevens, and - to their credit - they re-grouped well after the interval.
And they eventually found a way back into the game late on after home 'keeper Chris Ashton failed to claim a high ball and the visitors pounced.
But it was to be Packer who had the last say as the mercurial playmaker produced an absolutely stunning volley to dispatch a Dan Comer cross into the back of the net.
Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 26th February 2017 at 13:10
