Royal Wootton Bassett Town Vets produced a fine performance in the Veterans Winter League to go into second place with a dominant 5-2 win over fellow high flyers KMLC.
The Vets had a "Straight in Lads" mentality, taking an early lead, with Shaw's cross neatly headed in by Steve Howse. Bassett's defence never really looked stretched, with Jacko benefitting from losing his curtains and being able to sweep unhindered. On 20 minutes Bassett went further ahead, Martin Ohrland winning the ball in midfield, striding forward like Carlton Palmer and releasing Shaw running from halfway to calmly slot past the keeper - a "Shaw" thing!
KMLC were restricted to a couple of tame headers and Bassett well deserved the 2-0 halftime lead. The Vets defence, ably protected by Cook, Ohrland and Warren in midfield held firm into the second half and from an attacking sense they were able to "Box 'em in". KMLC began to get frustrated with the ref and each other and superb spin and quick pass from Ohrland freed Watson "Down the line". His cut back onto his
Manager Parr was so relaxed he was able to hand out the lemon sherberts, unfortunately missing a quick reply from KMLC. An unkind person suggested that Nick Warren had put through his own net but I am not one to believe such rumours. 3-1, and Jefferies was soon pushing another effort round the post from 25 yards.
Bassett needed to secure the win. A Shaw turn and cross from the right saw Watson sniffing, the defender just clearing for a corner. From this, which Shaw "put in the mixer", the ball pinged about the box until Howse crashed his second home from 10 yards. Bassett still treated it like "it's still 0-0", with Parker having one disallowed for offside and another winning the pink pony award smashed well wide - Thanks M'Lady (copyright Thunderbirds)!
Warren then showed his dexterity, turning on a sixpence, to go and relieve Steve Lynch of the lino's flag. By this stage KMLC were calling Ref, Ref! How long? However, there was time for Shaw to dispossess a dawdling defender and blast through before again calmly side footing his hat-trick to make it 5-1.
In the last minute, the defence blotted a great performance, a Cinqgregani own goal trying to clear a shot that was near enough in.
Man of the match goes to Steve Shaw, for "Keeping it on the island" and "Just playing it easy"! And the hat trick of course, and the two assists. An excellent team performance from an ever-improving Vets outfit!
Credit: "Junior Striker"
Last modified on Tuesday 23rd January 2018 at 08:48
