Royal Wootton Bassett Town Veterans made it a blue Monday for Swindon Athletic, as they joyously raced back to winning ways with a seven-goal splurge to Erasure any memories of their losing run.
Bassett could have been two up in a matter of moments, Cooper and Howse both spurning their first chances inside the box. Athletic continued to be 'under pressure' as Bassett pressed hard and chances came and went, with some dangerous deliveries from set-pieces just eluding a final touch.
The Vets finally had reward after 10 minutes, when the effervescent Warren released Cooper, who rolled an inviting cross that Ohrland's lithe legs just missed. However, Parker sent the ball back across the box where Cooper was still lurking to side-foot past a Bewitched goalie.
One became two soon after. A weak goal-kick was hit straight to Cooper, who cushioned a first time pass to release Howse thundering through to finish soundly across the 'keeper from just inside the area with his trusty left.
Athletic were finding it hard to break out, and the Vets were profligate in front of goal, Howse and Jack both nearly finding The Farm over the fence and numerous other chances going close, Jefferies at centre back just about the only player not to get forward to have a chance. Cook, an Oasis of calm in the centre of midfield, was particularly unlucky after a surging run and rasping drive that pinged back off the upright.
Coach Wood couldn't believe it was only 2-0 at half-time and urged his Communards to keep the ball on the Inspiral Carpet!
Despite this, Bassett were sluggish into the second half and were rocked when Athletic pulled one back. A trundle up front didn't look to be leading anywhere but a snap shot from the edge of the area surprised an underworked Boys-Stones and nestled in the corner.
The away sides tailfeathers were shaken and Bassett took a few minutes to regain composure. Dave Parker and Nick Warren, plus Pete Wilson had been Bassett's most productive attacking source from wing-back all night, and Parker again found himself free down the left attacking the box.
As the defence retreated, he rolled a pass back to Cook on 'The Edge', who took a touch before curling a right footer into the far corner, aided and abetted by the keeper doing oops upside your head as it sailed past.
Three was the magic number and Bassett started to play their most incisive football of the night. PD strolled out from the back like Bobby Moore, finding Cook on the left who split the backline with a perfectly timed through ball to Cooper. He wasted no time releasing a left foot drive on the run that was still rising as it flew past the keeper at the near post.
Four-one sin my life, I found someone who needs me as Warren then made it 5-Star. He had already struck the bar with a great long ranger when he stole the ball off Ohrland's toes, after Athletic had failed to deal with a cross, to poach a goal from 8 yards out. This caused the linesman to walk off in a huff, as the referee wised up to some rather one-eyed decisions.
Warren then struck another piledriver against the bar after a good run, the rebound falling to Howse who hammered it into Alphabet Street. However, Stevie Wonder soon made amends; Huggings won the ball decisively in midfield and fed Cooper, who curled a pass into his fellow Pet Shop Boy, who walloped home across the keeper to make it six.
Howse, who seemed to be Living in a Box, arrived Right on Time to grab his hat-trick, moments before the end; Parker again the provider from the left to leave him with a simple tap in.
There ain't no party like an S Club (seven) party and a Thriller of a second half performance.
Man of the match was a Dave Parker and Nick Warren duet, for a constant supply and the cut and thrust down the wings.
Pink Pony – Paul Jack, for finishing like a centre back, although two legs could also go to Steve Howse, for his Orbital efforts!
Credit: Junior Striker
Last modified on Tuesday 11th December 2018 at 21:25
