Royal Wootton Bassett Town Logo 1 ‒ 3 Burnham Logo

Home hurt continues

Gerard Buxton Sports Ground, Saturday 9th November 2019

Despite taking the lead, Royal Wootton Bassett Town fell to a 3-1 home defeat against Burnham.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town have now played a dozen home games in all competitions during the 2019-20 season - and they remain without a win after a disappointing 3-1 home loss against fell bottom half side Burnham.

The result represented Bassett's ninth defeat on home soil, with only two league points having been recorded from games played at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground.

And that record goes a long way to explaining the plight Sam Collier's side find themselves in. After thirteen games, just over a third of the season, they sit in 17th place in the Hellenic League Premier Division. With results from games played elsewhere going against them too, they are in danger of falling adrift.

Luck certainly was not with Bassett when they hosted Burnham as the hosts were forced to play half the game with left back Dale Richards in goal after Declan Lehmann suffered a rib injury that meant he was forced off at half time.

At that point, the scored stood at 1-1.

TJ Bohane had headed Bassett in front on the half hour mark, flicking in Brad Pagliaroli's first time cross at the near post after good hold up play in the left corner from Danny Langford.

But the visitors grabbed a cheap equaliser within minutes. Jonny Davoile was dispossessed in the middle of the park, and a quick through ball was threaded through for Oliver Harris, who calmly slotted home.

The enforced change played a role in Burnham's second on 65 minutes. Richards' underhit a clearance and the ball was quickly worked up to Gavin James, who curled a low strike off the post and into the bottom right corner from the edge of the area.

James then sealed the points for the visitors with ten minutes remaining to condemn Bassett to yet another home loss.

Last season, Bassett collected 35 of their 48 points at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground. However, so far this season what was something of a fortress has turned into a welcoming environment for visiting sides.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 10th November 2019 at 15:58