Gerard Buxton Sports Ground, 17 October 2020
Royal Wootton Bassett Town were well beaten as they returned to Hellenic League Premier Division action with a disappointing 3-0 loss at home against Reading City, one of the division's early frontrunners.
The loss means Sam Collier's side remain winless in their opening five fixtures, though with three of those games having ended in a draw there is little reason for concern just yet.
At home against Reading, Bassett were playing from behind early on, the visitors taking the lead after just twelve minutes, while Reading's ruthlessness in front of goal and a sharp performance from their 'keeper Charlie York served to make it a miserable afternoon for Bassett.
Max Laschock struck the first of his two debut goals for Reading when, amongst a group of players, he was able to steer home Eddie Lazarcuk's free kick.
It was a sloppy goal for Bassett to concede, but they seemed to respond reasonably well to going behind. Following a probing run, Zak Skinner sent in a shot which appeared destined to be going in until it was deflected wide by Ellis Cowd. Sam Ockwell then sent an effort just wide of the post.
Bassett's best opportunity of the half then came on 27 minutes as Tommy Ouldridge thundered in a shot from the edge of the area that had York beaten but crashed back down off the bar.
City made the brighter start following the restart with Harrison Ellis having to be alert in the early stages of the second half.
He was ultimately beaten again on the hour mark though as Tyler Cruz set up Laschok for a well-taken second goal from the debutant.
Facing a two-goal deficit, Bassett had a mountain to climb. But they were offered a way back into the game with twenty minutes to go when awarded a penalty. However York parried Alex Dinsmore's spot kick to keep Reading in a commanding position.
That miss seemed to take the life out of Bassett too as the visitors upped the ante in the closing stages.
After Lewis Bebb forced a save from Ellis, Will Okine-Peters eventually put a firm seal on the game, producing a dazzling individual goal that saw him drive the down right, cut inside his man and coolly slot home beyond the Bassett 'keeper.
There could have been further salt rubbed into the wounds in injury time too, but Laschok passed up a chance for his hat trick before Ellis kept out a Dan Davies effort.
The damage had been done already though, with Bassett left to reflect on an afternoon when they were well beaten.
Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 17th October 2020 at 18:27
