Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development fell to a 3-2 defeat against title chasing Kintbury Rangers in their penultimate Wiltshire League fixture of the season.

It was a weary looking Kintbury Rangers that arrived at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground, fielding a team that seemed to be carrying a few knocks from the heavy toll of games in recent weeks. Luckily for them they found a Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development side in a generous spirit to their opponents, gifting a couple of goals to the visitors in what was a tight contest.

First chance of the game fell to Kintbury's Luke Johnson, but he fired his shot just over in the 6th minute. A minute later a ball into the Kintbury box from Ryan Withers found Logan Cassidy but visiting 'keeper Ross Thorne did well to deny the Bassett striker, though he did injure himself in the process of making the save.

In what was a fast-paced opening part of the game, Kintbury went in front a minute later when two Bassett defenders dallied on the ball, allowing Johnson to get a shot away that he wasn't really entitled to, and Bassett 'keeper Alex Bowers could not hold onto the strike.

Bassett got back on level terms on 24 minutes when a good one-two between Withers and Cassidy put the latter clear through on goal. However, the striker managed to hit the post, but fortunately the hard-working Josh Bolton had followed the ball in and was able to tap in for the equaliser.

Bolton went close again on 36 minutes when his shot was deflected for a corner. Next it was Kintbury's turn to go close when George Smith fired wide with a half chance. In a game of opportunities at both ends, Aaron Stevens fired in a header from Withers' corner but Thorne in the Kintbury goal easily saved.

Just as it looked like the two sides would turn around level at the break, Bowers, in looking to clear a back-pass, only managed to hit Kintbury striker Smith with his attempted clearance and the ball rebounded into the Bassett net.

There was still time for Kintbury to have another glorious chance before the break when Harry Way was put through clean on goal, but the opportunity to extend his team's lead went begging.

Within a minute of the restart Bassett had a great chance to level matters when Cassidy was put through, but he fired high over the bar.

Bassett were then made to pay for their profligacy when another defensive slip up from a ball over the top allowed Smith to go clean through on goal and he showed how to finish with a clinical strike to make it 3-1.

The hosts came back at the title chasing visitors and created a number of good chances. They finally took one of these when Dale Richards fired in with a low and powerful shot from the edge of the box to make it 3-2.

The game continued to ebb and flow with Bowers pulling off a couple of good saves to deny Kintbury from extending their lead whilst Bassett continued to push, but were unable to find that elusive equaliser.

Come full time, Kintbury knew they had been a tough match, but a win is a win and the three point kept them on the tail of Wiltshire League leaders Melksham Town Reserves.

Credit: Mark Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 22nd April 2018 at 11:32