A much improved second half could not undo the damage of conceding three first half goals for Royal Wootton Bassett Town's Vets team against Swindon Legends, played on Friday 29th September on the 4G at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground.
In truth, the Vets, with an average age of 44 controlled large amounts of the game against their younger opponents, with the Legends composed of mainly 25-30 year olds and a couple who were playing way past their bedtime.
The Vets took a while to settle and Legends forced an early lead after only five minutes. Possession was conceded in their own half and a sharp shot from 20 yards from a Legends youngster surprised Gordon Gratton and slipped through his grasp into the right corner.
If anything, this setback encouraged the Vets to relax and they grew into the game, Dave Knapp putting over on the stretch from a Bryan Watson cross, and then Knapp again having a chance saved before putting the rebound over. Midway through the half Knapp was unlucky to see his finish turned onto the bar by the Legends keeper. The resultant rebound dropped to Chris Cooper but, inexplicably, he headed over from under the posts.
The Vets were to rue the missed chances; a stray pass moments later allowed a Legends forward to take advantage of the defence standing off to fire a curling finish from the D. Substitutions were rolled on, which led to Sean Boyle running the flag, and the amusing sight of him doing so in the style of a rugby touch judge - the whole length of the pitch!
A reshuffle pushed Nick Warren into midfield, which gave the Vets more impetus and the highlight of the half was Pete Yeardley's Baresi-esque skill in quelling one break. Tony Skeates also went close with a flicked effort from a corner, but on the verge of half-time the Vets fell further behind. A free-kick from wide on the left caused a goalmouth scramble and with the Vets unable to clear, a youthful Legends toe poked the ball home from six yards. 0-3 at half-time was not a true reflection of the game.
Bassett started the second half strongly and on 50 minutes pulled a goal back. Watson, who played well holding the ball up and running the defence, dispossessed a defender and stepped inside to curl a beauty over the keeper from the left corner of the area, his second in two games. Elementary, my dear Watson!
The Vets went on to enjoy the vast majority of possession, Martyn Jefferies breaking down attacks in midfield and Warren all-action, endeavouring to push the Vets forward. Clear cut chances were hard to manufacture though, Warren nearly reaching a through ball before the keeper and Chris Cooper having a free-kick well saved. Intricate passing between Jefferies, Martin Ohrland, and Sean Boyle saw a Paul Heath pile-driver pushed round the post and also Cooper had the ball in the net but was flagged offside.
Vets legs were tiring now and Gratton was left exposed to a swift counter, doing well with a double save. With only moments remaining Bassett thought they had scored a second, Watson running through from a Cooper flick to finish smartly. Unfortunately, Jefferies had been running back from an offside position, although not interfering with play and the referee upheld the assistant's decision - a case of mistaken bald-entity!
A gutsy display by the Vets and not quite the result they deserved.
Man of the match was given to Nick Warren for his endless energy.
Much to be proud of in this performance.
Match Reporter: Martin "Half a Hamstring" Cooper
Credit: 'Junior Striker'
Last modified on Sunday 1st October 2017 at 15:10
