In a tight encounter at New College Swindon, reigning champions Marlborough Town Veterans claimed the spoils against Royal Wootton Bassett Town Blue thanks to two clinical finishes from striker Tom Dingle.

Bassett started the better and in the first five minutes Dave Parker's cross cum-shot was shovelled away to safety by Marlborough 'keeper Darryl Smith

The away side continued to enjoy the lions share of possession but their end product was disappointing at times. Their best chance of the half came when Martin Ohrland unleashed a powerful strike from just outside the area that home stopper Smith turned aside smartly at the foot of his left hand post.

Despite being largely on top Bassett were indebted to 'keeper Boys-Stones who did well to spread himself to save with his feet from the on-rushing Marlborough striker just before the break.

The second half started in the same vein as the first with Bassett trying to prise open the well organised home defence.

From a free-kick just outside the box Adam Cinquegrani blasted the ball straight into the wall and Marlborough scrambled the ball clear. Next Dave Parker cut in from the left but his weak finish was easily saved by Smith.

Proof that it was not going to be Basset's night in front of goal came when Cinquegrani's close range drive was blocked and the follow up kicked off the line as Marlborough hung on.

In the last ten minutes Marlborough pushed more men forward and nearly took the lead on a couple of occasions with lobbed attempts, one of which bounced agonisingly over the bar.

Their more adventurous play finally paid off when Dingle thundered home an unstoppable half volley in off the bottom of the right hand post.

Bassett threw men forward to try to salvage the game and should have equalised when great trickery and an inch perfect cross from Steve Shaw on the left was inexplicably headed wide from five yards out by Steve Howse.

Marlborough wrapped up the victory in the dying seconds when Dingle capitalised on some indecision in the Bassett defence to calmly clip over the advanced Boys-Stones for his second of the night.

Overall Marlborough did what champions do, winning while not at their best. Bassett can take a lot of positives from their performance but will have to be more clinical in their finishing if they are to mount a title challenge this time.

Man of the Match: Tom Dingle (Marlborough Town Vets)

Credit: Ceri Stephens
Last modified on Tuesday 22nd January 2019 at 19:50