Royal Wootton Bassett Town Veterans started off the Wiltshire Veterans Winter Flexi League campaign with a thumping 4-0 victory over Trowbridge Tigers.
Confident throughout, the score could have been doubled as a strong team performance showcased some masterful total football.
Bassett could have been accused of going too long too soon as the first half started, perhaps a bit too frantic in trying to play a killer ball. Trowbridge had their moments at the start, Martin Jefferies, in running back and losing his legs like a stumbling wino, lucky to see the Tigers not capitalise as Jack put off the striker. Moments later, Tigers then harshly had a goal ruled out, their number 9 pouncing on a loose ball in the area and firing home; only for the whistle to be blown for calling "I've got it" and not a name.
Bassett sparked into life, aided by the mid half introduction of PD and Shaw, and took control. The midfield of Ohrland , Cook and Cooper got on the ball more, and Shaw's running stretched the defence. One rapier break down the left saw him skin the defence, get to the byline and then his pull back found Hyde's much maligned left foot guiding the ball home!
The Vets began to fashion chances at will. Ohrland shaved the post with a header from a corner, Pete Wilson crept in from wing back to nearly convert a Shaw cross, and Shaw then twice went close. Both times breaking loose down the right channel, the first saw a good effort skim across the face of goal, whereas the second saw an audacious chip being desperately clawed away from the keeper.
1-0 was a bit of a false score at half time and, after encouragement to shorten up the passing into midfield more, the second half became a bit of a cakewalk. Gilt edged chances had already been squandered by Howse and Wilson (again!), when the second came. Cooper tried to play Warren in but the latter's touched bounced off into midfield. Cook duly arrived at a rate of knots and walloped a scorcher, arrow-like from 25 yards, into the far corner. Ronnie Radford eat your heart out!
There was another fine save from Boys-Stones to thwart a one-on-one, before Bassett finished off the Tigers in the last quarter
A third was added when a through-ball beat the offside trap and Ohrland strolled through to finish confidently, wrapping the ball with his left foot round the keeper and tucking in off the far post.
Fourth and finally, after slick play on the edge of the area with Howse, saw Warren the roving wing back into the area and coolly rolling the ball under the onrushing keeper. A fine move to end a performance where the Vets prospered by concentrating on playing their way through.
Man of the match was difficult as this was a game where everyone contributed well. An honourable mention goes to Paul Boys-Stones for two important saves and a clean sheet, but the award goes to Steve Shaw for the impetus and assists, and the assists that could/should have been!
Pink Pony went to Pete Wilson - no one remembers all the running when you miss two sitters!
Next up is a fixture against last year's champions Marlborough Town, with all games being played at New College on Monday evenings.
Credit: Junior Striker
Last modified on Wednesday 17th October 2018 at 09:01
