Flying Monk Ground, 16 April 2021

Despite falling a goal behind, Royal Wootton Bassett Town went on to record a convincing 5-1 victory in their second Bluefin Sports Hellenic Challenge Cup group fixture as they brushed aside locals Malmesbury Victoria at the Flying Monk Ground.

Redeeming himself after his sending off in Bassett's opening match away against Stonehouse Town, George Smith was the star of the show, assisting the two goals and rounding off the scoring on a night when he and full back George Ford combined to cause the Vics countless problems down Bassett's right flank.

Rhys Wells and Gio Wrona, who both scored twice, also starred on an evening where Sam Collier's side put themselves in a strong position early in the competition's group phase.

Things didn't go entirely to plan for the whole night though as Sam Parker put the hosts in front after twenty minutes.

But Bassett were soon on terms, Wells finishing following good set up play from Smith.

Smith's sublime early cross was then headed in by Wrona five minutes before the break.

And Bassett's lead was stretched further when the experienced Alan Griffin was dismissed for deliberately handling in the box and Wrona put the resulting penalty past Anthony Brown in the Malmesbury goal.

In control and with a man advantage, Bassett were always going to be favourites to to pull further ahead.

And they did so after the restart as Wells grabbed his second before Smith deservedly got on the scoresheet.

Further goals could have came as Zak Skinner hit the bar for Bassett, while 'keeper Harrison Ellis did brilliantly to claw away a free kick and prevent Malmesbury from pulling a goal back.

The result leaves Bassett on four points from their opening two matches ahead of consecutive fixtures against Brimscombe and Thrupp who themselves have made a winning start to their campaign.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 17th April 2021 at 11:26