Stratton Juniors
Royal Wootton Bassett TownRWBTFC
Stratton Juniors Logo
2 ‒ 5
Royal Wootton Bassett Town Logo

RWBTFC Scorers:
Kevin Gulliver (2), Sal Hayek, Bryan Watson, Own Goal

Gulliver’s Traveller Sparks Five Star Debut!

In their first game in the Wiltshire FA Veterans Flexi League, Royal Wootton Bassett Town Yellow enjoyed an entertaining 5-2 win against fellow newcomers Stratton Juniors. Co-managed by Martin Ohrland on the sidelines and Bryan Watson on the pitch, they took time to find their feet, before running away with the game in the second half.

The game started inauspiciously. Goalkeeper Ceri Stephens had already pulled off one save to deny a goal when a missed header in defence left him exposed to a good lobbed finish and a 1-0 deficit.

Immediately, from Tim Lewis's rollback (assist?) Kev Gulliver spotted the Stratton keeper off his line and arrowed a beautiful left-foot traveller from inside his own half, nestling perfectly just over him and into the net - outstanding!

The game carried on apace, both teams going end-to-end and chances coming and going, Watson and Lewis both going close, and Stephens making a fantastic save far to his right from the useful and quick Stratton number 10.

Bassett lost Jim Benyon to injury, meaning Andy Huggins dropped back to midfield and Sal Hayek coming on in midfield. Stratton went 2-1 up when the number 10 again broke free to finish smartly, but the Yellows were now starting to control possession more.

They hit back when Sal fed Watson who went past a couple of challenges before producing an well-judged, impudent chip from the edge of the area.

I have Rob Mitchell and 'pace' written in my notes, although I have no idea why! But he added to the now solid back four with Carl Johnson and Jason Parr trusty at fullback and Ian Mitchell marshalling Huggy in the centre. In the second half Carl Webster and now Ben Gould started to find more space and stretch Stratton out wide.

Bassett were indebted at 2-2 to a couple of breathtaking saves from Ceri 'eff eff' Stephens, one a pearler down to his left, before they took the game away.

Gulliver had been the stand out player and as Yellows broke in a three-on-one, the ball was fed to him and he produced another fine lob with that wand of a left foot.

Ben Gould was beginning to look like Ryan Giggs out on the left, one pirouette taking him free, although he soon had his head in his hands after a cross from Webster was on a plate for him, only for the bread and butter to slip past the left post, landing butter side down!

He made amends soon after, his break down the left and shot was well saved but Sal showed a good engine to be up in support and bundled the follow up in.

4-2 and with moments left it was five. Another incisive break and it looked for all the world that Gulliver was going to finish with a hat-trick, however he checked and unselfishly looked to square the ball to Gould. In his rush to get back a defender intervened and diverted the pass into his own net.

A great first result for the Yellows who grew collectively as the game progressed and some real eye-catching performances.

Man of the match was shared between Kev Gulliver, who scored two fantastic goals but was also in control all night, and Ceri Stephens, who made some crucial saves at important moments.

Pink Pony – too harsh to give it to anyone this week! Although Tim Lewis goes close for trying to claim assists!

Credit: Junior Striker
Last modified on Wednesday 16th January 2019 at 08:49

Stratton Juniors
Royal Wootton Bassett TownRWBTFC
Stratton Juniors Logo
2 ‒ 5
Royal Wootton Bassett Town Logo

RWBTFC Scorers:
Kevin Gulliver (2), Sal Hayek, Bryan Watson, Own Goal