The Rumble in the Jungle, The Thriller in Manilla, Pizzagate; all trip off the tongue for sporting rivalries. Add to that 'El Bassetto', after a double serving of high-octane, competitive games within four days between Royal Wootton Bassett Town's two Veterans teams. It just goes to show the growth and the strength in Over 35s football at the club: to be able to field two equally strong sides in such a short space of time.
The first came on Monday 4th March in the Wiltshire Veterans Flexi League.
The Blues took the lead in the first half, Lynch fed Howse and then his dummy-run drew the defence, leaving Howse to rove forward to the edge of the area before feeding square to Cook, whose well-placed side foot rolled past Ceri Stephens into the corner.
The Yellows equalised soon after half-time from the Blues' own corner. It broke to Chris Cooper who advanced and fed Ben Gould on the left. The Blues were caught two-on-two and Gould did excellently to commit the defender and then sent a delicious ball across the face of goal, cutting out Jefferies tracking back. Carl Webster took a touch and, as Boys-Stones stumbled in goal, sent a calm finish into the roof of the net.
The Blues picked their game up and, after a disallowed Howse effort for offside, took the lead. Shaw, again finding space down the left, cut back onto his right and arced a ball over that just skimmed the head of Howse. Unfortunately, and unaware, the ball hit the blameless Jason Parr on the thigh and bounced past Stephens into the net.
The game was then made safe when Ohrland gambolled forward, Howse picked up the attack after the defensive challenge and slipped Shaw in for a composed finish.
Blue Man of the Match: Steve Shaw - a goal and an assist, plus threatening all night.
Yellow Man of the Match: Ben Gould - full of running and a mouth-watering cross for the equaliser.
Blue Pink Pony: Steve Howse - a couple of missed chances but especially for the slice out for a throw-in!
Yellow Pink Pony: Chris Cooper - found it very difficult to keep his feet!
Credit: Junior Striker
Last modified on Saturday 9th March 2019 at 11:22
