Royal Wootton Bassett Town Veterans had the privilege to be invited to play at the National Football Centre at St. Georges Park for the first time, to further establish their ties with the RAF FA Veterans on Saturday 2nd February. The RAF had a new influx of just over 35s and fielded a strong outfit, looking to avenge last May's 2-0 defeat at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground. And the goals flowed in a chilly indoor arena.

On the indoor 3G that is the same dimensions as Wembley's pitch, Bassett were given a chastening first thirty minutes and found themselves 3-0 down. The positive spin is that the rest of the game finished 3-3!

Bassett were under the cosh from the get-go, struggling to retain any possession and constantly stretched, with the RAF sporting a former Team GB cyclist up front, who seemed to still have his wheels on.

A couple of close shaves had already been negotiated, when a ball lost from a Bassett throw-in on halfway was quickly fed over the top and 'Wheels' was in on goal before Paul Boys-Stones could race from his line, and he finished with aplomb.

The RAF were into their stride and had Bassett chasing shadows, the quick ball over the top causing the back three of PD, Jack and Wood all sorts of problems. Bassett were second to everything and were finding it difficult to find any sort of out ball, passes regularly going astray and the RAF quick to press and win back possession.

Boys-Stones made one great save in a one-on-one, but after 15 minutes Bassett were 2-0 down, a simple ball through and 'Wheels' enjoyed the space behind again to notch his second.

In that first half there were too many chances to remember, some going close, some last-ditch blocks and another couple of Boys-Stones saves. His personal highlight though was hoofing a drop-kick up into the ceiling: 'Never been done before', according to an opposing defender.

3-0 came, this time a good run from the striker and excellent finish. Bassett were struggling, with the cold, the oppositions fitness and systems, the speed of play…maybe the occasion. They only had a couple of pot shots from Cook and Ohrland to speak of. PD had gone into the book for a late challenge, Warren somehow avoided it for a passable impression of a Welsh centre on a crash ball!

But Bassett bit by bit got into the game. Parker, on for Lynch at Wing back, had a couple of good runs by himself and more space was being found by the forwards, Cooper and Howse (on for Shaw) out wide. Bassett clung on until half time

A tough first 45 minutes and deep discussions over systems and pressing ensued. Bassett played with renewed vigour in the early knockings of the second half, with more pressure and also composure.

Ten minutes in and they had reduced the arrears. Pressing from Warren and Cooper caused a mix up between 'keeper and full back, the former able to regain possession and quickly slide a pass back across the 18-yard line. This left Cooper one-on-one with the keeper and he swiftly dispatched past the stranded stopper to the left corner.

However, any hopes of a comeback were immediately extinguished, as only moments later a free kick given away for a late tackle was handsomely curled into the top right by the RAF number 23, giving Boys-Stones no chance and making it 4-1.

Bassett started to relax and were finding a lot more space out wide to register some attacks, using Wilson and Parker, and Jefferies was plugging gaps at the back and bringing the ball out. But the RAF were always able to fire back and increased their lead to 5-1, although I can't quite remember how!

A second arrived for Bassett as the game opened up and both sides rotated their squads. Warren was again the instigator, picking up a clearance mid-way in the opposition half and flighted a cross from the right that found Howse, rising imperiously, to glance a header neatly past the keeper.

The RAF notched their sixth, a fantastic crossfield ball from Jonny Watkins that found his teammate skulking in at the back-post unseen to head home.

Bassett were the ones to finish off the goal-glut, Shaw racing onto a Cinquegrani's through ball and, although he was befuddled by the replacement sexagenarian in goal, the rebound was crashed home by Parker.

An exclusive selection of other Vets and family members provided invaluable support and, if not quite the result wanted, Bassett gave a plucky 90-minute performance and enjoyed a (maybe!) once in a lifetime experience.

Man of the Match went to Dave Parker for some attacking thrust and a great finish.

The glamorous and coveted Pink Pony Award was won by Adam Cinquegrani, I think, for being a Leeds fan!

Credit: Junior Striker
Last modified on Tuesday 5th February 2019 at 15:40