The new Wiltshire FA Veterans Flexi League campaign began with a thumping 5-0 victory for Royal Wootton Bassett Town Blue over Trowbridge Tigers, avenging a 2-1 loss last season that derailed their title bid.
Bassett were in no mood to let complacency seep in and put the Tigers under pressure from the start. Setting up in a familiar 3-5-2, the Vets controlled the first 10 minutes, with a few rapier bursts. One such led to a deflected shot from Warren for a corner on the left. Cooper swung this over Jack and Davis's decoy run to find Howse perfectly placed to power a header down and over the line.
Parker was using his pace to great effect to find space behind the defence, another run and cross leading to Warren having a header saved, and the midfield tyro had another two chances misplaced before finally getting his goal. Again Parker beat his man down the right and his shot from an acute angle was palmed out invitingly for Warren to sidefoot home for a 2-0 lead.
One minor sloppy pass out from Wood that led to a break was all that Trowbridge could muster, or more to the point, that the Blues would allow.
Steve Lynch, back from injury, and Wilson were providing great balance out wide, the latter going close with a header from a Cooper cross.
Bassett were going all out for a third and looked to threaten from a long throw just before half time. Warren called the big men up from the back but after a confident run-up the ball flopped out of the back of his hand and bumbled out for a goal kick, like a Monty Panesar wrong 'un!
Gav Cook, out injured along with Cinquegrani and Shaw, led the half-time talk and urged for more of the same. He may consider a career as a coach as the goals followed. Parker got a deserved goal with a simple tap in as the keeper again palmed an effort, this time from Wilson, into a dangerous area.
Jefferies, club captain after such a consistent campaign last season, was solid whether centre back, in midfield or at wing-back, although he treated the gathering Yellows team to another swan dive as he lost his feet with no one around.
Bassett were playing some super football, comfortable on the ball, and bursting forward with menace. Ohrland, more defensively minded after his rough and tumble 10 mile run the previous day, caused panic with a looping ball and Pete Wilson took advantage of some ponderous defending to nip in between and finish into an empty net.
Boys-Stones was having one of his quietest evenings, only with the odd through ball to tidy up, with PD, Jacko and Wood clearing up everything in front, as well as pinging the ball about smoothly.
Trowbridge let their frustration out, one player picking up a yellow card for clattering Cooper. No matter - soon after Cooper was adding the fifth, finishing off another run from Parker and composed left-wing ball across the six yard box.
Parker then missed his simplest chance after great interplay between Warren and Cooper, six yards out and all the time in the world, only to pass it wide! Cooper stung the hands with a left-foot volley from 20 yards, and Howse saw another header from a corner just the wrong side of the bar as the Blues finished off as strong as they started.
Man of the match went to Dave Parker, who was a persistent menace, ran the defence ragged down the channels and notched as well as assisted.
Nick Warren picks up the Pink Pony - we can only hope he doesn't pick up another throw-in! These awards could have been reversed after Parker's miss and Warren's energy and threat!
Credit: Junior Striker
Last modified on Tuesday 15th January 2019 at 21:59
