Royal Wootton Bassett Town Veterans blasted their way to a Bonfire Night extravaganza in their latest Wiltshire County FA Veterans Winter Flexi League fixture against AFC Swindon Vets, triumphing 8-0.
Bassett stunned their opponents, rocketing into a four – nil lead in only 13 minutes.
The performance hit a high note on three minutes. Martin Jefferies ran on to a Jack through ball in the right wing back channel. From the by-line, his cross was half-cleared but looped up like a Roman Candle to Martin Cooper, who dispatched a sidefoot-volley to the 'keeper's left from the penalty spot.
The Vets were on fire and 2-0 followed on eight minutes. One-touch play in midfield between Wood, Cook and Ohrland again released Jefferies, whose low ball across found Shaw sweeping home right-footed past the 'keeper with a whoosh!
Shaw had his second only two minutes later, racing onto a through ball, spinning like a Catherine Wheel as he rounded the 'keeper and placing his finish past the defender on the line.
The Vets were rampant, in control and first across midfield to everything, imperious across the back with Jack, PD and Cinquegrani, and with the movement of wing-backs Dave Parker and Jefferies complimenting the fluid Shaw and Cooper up front.
Bassett were giving AFC twisted blood as they tried to keep track of where each thrust was coming from.
On 12 minutes, Shaw was once again free of the defence down the right and a beautifully weighted cross allowed Cooper to sweetly glance a header across to the far corner from 10 yards. What a bunch of firecrackers!
Bassett continued to dominate the half, with Hyde and Watson replacing the dynamic duo up front, and Parker often found himself free in space on the left. However, the tempo just dropped a notch and killer passes went astray, with no more goals added in the second quarter.
Gaffer Warren pleaded for more goals at half time and the second half delivered like a trusty Big Rocket.
The back three had been an integral part of all the good football played and another move out from the back found Parker beating the offside trap and he finally got his goal, finding the bottom corner with an assured finish.
A mixture of profligate finishing then ensued, along with many offside calls going against the Vets, as Watson and Hyde both went close, Ohrland had a header ruled out, Jack had a header cleared from the line (six yard?) and numerous other chances went begging.
Boys-Stones had a quiet evening in goal with one spectator throwing him a penny for being the Guy, but he showed some Strictly fancy footwork to befuddle one oncoming attack!
Bassett did finish with a Bang! Hyde finally found himself onside to head home from close range to make it 6-0 on 48 minutes, and the goals followed with a rush.
Ohrland waltzed through from midfield to scream a left-footer in for the seventh, and Shaw wrapped up the display, purring through once again and dummying the 'keeper to secure his hat-trick.
AFC Swindon were left to gaze through the smoke and wonder what the Fawkes had gone on, as the Vets had produced a Bonfire night to remember.
Man of the match was Steve Shaw - hot dog of the night with extra onions: clinical finishing, high quality assists and a constant menace.
Pink Pony could have gone to Gav Cook, for not knowing when to start from a kick off but it went to Justin "Offside" Hyde - the lino can't have been wrong that many times!
Credit: Junior Striker
Last modified on Tuesday 6th November 2018 at 08:39
