A first-half penalty from Adam Cinquegrani was enough for Royal Wootton Bassett Town Veterans to see off last year's champions Marlborough Town in a hard fought but well-deserved win.

Bassett played by far the better football in the first-half, but sat back in the second and were thankful for some resolute defending to see out the win.

The Vets made a strong start to the fixture, controlling well in midfield but rushing final balls through to Howse and Shaw up front, in what turned out to be a game of few clear-cut chances. Helping Cinquegrani out at the back were Martin Jefferies and 'The Kaiser' Bryan Wood, and they dealt with everything Marlborough had to offer. Dave Parker's pace from right wing back brought a couple of early thrusts, leading to corners, and Ohrland saw a left foot drive from distance flash just wide as the Vets began to exert more pressure

The ball moved well between defence and midfield, which also negated some of the more physical late challenges that Marlborough were happy to leave in. Towards the end concerted pressure finally led to a penalty. Shaw was freed in space down the right and his run and cross led to pandemonium, Howse and Hyde nearly getting on the end of it before a half clearance fell to Ohrland. Loitering on the edge of the area, his goalward bound shot was blocked high up on the arm by a defender; a clear penalty with only minor disagreement from Marlborough. Up stepped Cinquegrani, and after mirthful discussion on where a ball should be on the spot, and some Uri Geller mind games, he calmly dispatched to the 'keeper's left.

Bassett were in control and played out the remander of the first half well. More was needed in the second half. Paul Davis was loathe to bring himself on and wisely left the back three unchanged, rotating the forward players. Besides, he was having a stormer on the line anyway!

Bassett started the second half still in control but some of the late challenges started to disrupt the flow, and the gap between midfield and the front two gradually began to grow. Chances for Marlborough were still hard to fashion, with the back three organised and calm under pressure. Cinquegrani's many Cryuff turns released the pressure and Jefferies stood up to the physical challenge.

A Dave Parker dummy and spin led to a great break, and Shaw probed regularly, but for once the Vets were unable to get on the end of any set pieces to threaten the goal. As Marlborough pressured more, the Vets were able to break and produced a golden chance. Shaw had acres of space down the right leading to a 3 on one. His roll across for Hyde seemed true enough but the linesman's flag went up against Hyde - a tough one to take as honest. Howse was then on the end of one hideous follow through, leaving a nasty stud mark down the shin that the referee was not in position to see, else an early walk would have been given.

Bassett were now more penned in. A rash tackle from Cook on the edge was in a dangerous position, but the resultant free-kick was blocked by the wall. However, the follow up shot hit Cook on the hand, again in a dangerous position. This free-kick rattled the bar and bounced downwards, the Vets defence quick to scramble and smother, and eventually clear.

In the dying moments Shaw again broke clear and was sent balletically through the air by the covering defender, just outside the area. Cooper's effort nearly led to confusion but that was time, and a much valued and hard-won victory. Two games, two wins and two clean sheets - just the start!

Man of the match goes to Adam Cinquegrani on behalf of the backline, for finding the ground in time, and for turning me upside down, boy you turn me, inside out, round and round (c Diana Ross)!

Pink pony -No candidates I'm afraid. Strong team performance with no clangers dropped.

Credit: Junior Striker
Last modified on Tuesday 23rd October 2018 at 08:28