In the first game back, and game one of a double header, Royal Wootton Bassett Town Over 50s succumbed to a three-goal defeat at the hands of visiting Marlow Dukes. Goals either side of half-time bolstered an earlier strike to provide comfortable passage for the Dukes.

The opening stages of the contest contained chances for both teams. Marlow offered a shot from distance hit straight at 'keeper Stephens who juggled it before performing a belly flop to secure possession.

At the other end Kenny Campbell connected well with a rising drive that was helped onto his crossbar by the six foot plus Marlow stopper. Rob Mitchell was also out of luck when his header also struck the bar.

Marlow generally passed the ball quicker and to greater purpose and eventually their continued probing down Bassett's right flank yielded success on 15 minutes. An accurate centre was met from close range by the head of Marlow's number 9. The ball crashed into the net as Stephens performed a Semaphore routine in the home goal.

The home stopper was clearly playing for the cameras as he pushed out a tame Marlow effort when catching it appeared the simpler option. He also saw an effort strike his leg as Marlow upped the ante. They were eventually rewarded when a Marlow player collected the ball just outside the area and floated a hopeful punt at the centre of Bassett's goal. A salmon-like leap from Stephens would have repelled it. Unfortunately, he was more like the dying fly as the ball easily evaded his right hand to nestle in his net for a 2-0 half time deficit for the home side.

The Jacko half-time pep talk clearly made no difference at all as within a minute a speculative Marlow centre landed straight at the feet of star young whipper snapper centre back Nick Warren. Sadly for Bassett he appeared to be performing a move from the Karma Sutra at the time and a rather bemused Marlow attacker capitalized to plant the loose ball into the bottom corner to end the game as a contest.

The remainder of the half did nothing to suggest a comeback and Stephens was the busier of the two 'keepers, first pouncing cat like to use up one of his few remaining lives to palm clear a stinging angled drive and late on lie down to field another away side effort from close range.

I can't remember the opposition 'keeper doing much other than dribble out occasionally and make some routine catches but happy to be corrected.

An absolute joy to be back playing and see you all for more fun and games against Witney next Saturday.

Man of the Match: Ceri Stephens! - he got hit by a few shots so gave the impression he was doing something.

Credit: Ceri Stephens
Last modified on Tuesday 13th April 2021 at 09:06