Royal Wootton Bassett Town Under 13 Blue opened their campaign with a stunning 5-0 away win against Highworth Town Juniors J.

Spirits were high before the opening game of the season, fuelled by a series of good wins in pre-season and some astute work in the transfer window which had resulted in a number of marquee signings.

This optimism was proved more than justified with a stunning first half performance that set up the win. New signings combined early in the first half with a Roberto Cinquegrani cross setting up Noah Cranswick-Coates for a clinical finish low to the keeper's left.

The effervescent Sam Smith hit the post shortly before Bassett's second. A viscious in-swinging corner from Joshua Sturmey was parried by the 'keeper into his own net.

Experienced goalkeeper Tom Davis made two smart stops from Highworth shots but shortly before halftime Bassett put themselves in commend of the match. Breaking free from the Highworth defence Beau Hicks shrugged off a number of tackles before clinically scoring on his league debut for the Blue team.

The second half started promisingly with a powerful Caden Jefferies header just over. A few minutes later Jefferies found Beau Hicks for his second of the day with a cool finish. The tight Bassett defence restricted Highworth to few chances in the second half and Hicks wrapped up the game, and his third of the day, with a clinical finish in the last minutes of the game.

Whilst there will be sterner challenges over the coming months manager Martin Jefferies will be pleased with this start. The new look team appear to have bonded well together and the team will be expecting more success in the coming months.

Man of the match was Beau Hicks for his stunning debut hat trick.

Credit: Deane Greenouff
Last modified on Sunday 8th September 2019 at 16:27