Royal Wootton Bassett Town Vets handed out a footballing lesson, with a convincing win in a return match against Supermarine on Friday 9th March on the 4G at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground.
Having been soundly beaten 7-1 last time and unhappy at the manner of the challenges, a stronger Bassett side got on the front foot quickly in the wet conditions.
In the first few minutes both Ohrland and Cooper had squandered good chances after incisive through balls and the Vets quick to press opponents and monopolise the ball.
After 10 minutes, Martin Jefferies closed the left back as Supermarine tried to play out and his ball found Martin Cooper, in acres of space through on goal, who saw the keeper commit himself and smoothly rolled the ball past him.
The forwards movement was causing Supermarine problems and they soon conceded a second, with Howse pressurising defenders and Cooper again losing his marker and pouncing on hesitant defending to be in on goal, easily picking his spot.
The Vets were on the rampage and were 3-0 up within 20 minutes, this time Victor found himself through on goal and after checking he was onside, chipped past the keeper.
With regular substitutions and an injury to Cooper, some of the shape and impetus left the Vets play, however a back three of PD, Yeardley and Cinquegrani never looked in too much trouble, able to protect (thankfully!) Boyle in goal. Cook, Ohrland and Jones or Jefferies strode through midfield like giants, looking like they were knocking daisies heads off in a meadow!
Supermarine did get one back to reach half time at 3-1, with a quality finish from the edge of the area.
Bassett looked to widen the play in the second half, using wing backs Watson and Lynch more and again took control. From one such thrust a great cross from Lynch cut out everyone leaving Lav Cena with a simple tap in 3 yards out, or so we thought… Lav managed to balloon the ball up above the bar and then defy physics to come back down and still end up in the net. Lav later claimed that he meant this as he knew the keeper (who was stranded 10 yards away) was very, very tall!
Supermarine were becoming increasingly fractious, heavy tackles going in, some as late as Tim Lewis arriving for Friday footie! Cook, Cena and Victor all on the receiving end, though frankly they should have passed it quicker!
Howse netted a fifth soon after again from a wide cross allowing him to tap in.
Goal of the game came from Supermarine, a sumptuous volley on the horizontal, similar to Juan Mata against Liverpool a few seasons ago.
The Vets shape had been lost, much to PD's chagrin, as the lust for goals carried on. Lav Cena was next, able to outrun his tormentor and apply a cool finish, still on the end of a whack for his troubles but able to rub his face in it!
Steve Howse scored a seventh, and his second, with another smart finish after great interplay and the game looked done.
A last minute Supermarine through ball saw the striker through one on one, however Cook and Boyle looked to have rescued the situation between them only for the ref (from Supermarine, who had been impartial throughout) to give a penalty, duly dispatched. Was it a penalty? Was Cook out of position or quick to the rescue? Did Boyle's pies the night before slow him down? The debate continues…but a satisfying result with football being the winner!
Man of the match was awarded to Lav Cena for his two strikes, preposterous explanation and the sweet personal revenge.
Credit: Junior Striker
Last modified on Saturday 10th March 2018 at 21:23
