Royal Wootton Bassett Town Under 12 Blue were once again denied a point by a late goal at the end of a frenetic home game, at a blustery Gerard Buxton Sports Ground against Highworth Town Juniors J.

Wootton Bassett got off to the worst possible start conceding a goal straight from the kick off after a suspected infringement on Wootton Bassett keeper Tom Davis went unpunished allowing the Highworth Town striker to claim the opening goal.

Manager Martin Jefferies will have been pleased with the response from his young team after going a goal behind and following a continued spell of pressure Wootton Bassett were soon level. Joshua Sturmey has been establishing himself as a dead ball specialist this season and once again delivered a pinpoint free kick that the despairing Highworth defender could only send into his own net.

Wootton Bassett were fortunate not do go behind when a Highworth Town corner rebounded off the post. However they took the lead shortly after, a high through ball from Sam Smith was chased by Ed Greenouff who was able to out-muscle the Highworth defender allowing him to riffle the ball into the centre of the goal.

The remainder of the first half was an even affair, good work from the omnipresent Sam Smith allowed a late Highworth chance to be deflected for a corner and the first half to end with a narrow Wootton Bassett lead.

Highworth had the greater pressure at the start of the second half with Jake Webster and Micky Lynch successfully anchoring the Bassett defence coupled with excellent deliveries from Finley Hyde testing the Highworth defence.

However, it was the last 15 minutes of the match which once again proved costly for Wootton Bassett. A long range effort was unlucky to squirm under Tom Davis to give Highworth the equaliser and worse was to come after both midfield and defence failed to win the ball giving Highworth a late lead.

Once again there were many positives to take from the game, particularly in the first half as Wootton Bassett were often first to the loose ball but failure to win enough tackles resulted in late pressure and ultimately two second half goals.

Man of the match was Sam Smith for his industrious work rate and commitment. Next up the team will be away to the unusually named Stratton Juniors Gorillas.

Credit: Deane Greenouff
Last modified on Sunday 14th October 2018 at 20:19