Royal Wootton Bassett Town Over 50s staged a spirited first half fightback from two down to go in all square at the break. They then defended resolutely for the greater part of the second period to claim a hard fought point away against Headington Butchers.

It was Bassett who started brighter with crisp passing movements and threats from Webb on one flank and Mitchell on the other, superbly supported by front two Lewis and Fisher and the central midfield pairing of Lynch and Wood. They created some good half chances but were unable to strike first in the contest.

At the other end Headington spurned a good far post opportunity that sailed wide early on. They did however come close to grabbing the lead on 10 minutes when a fierce 20 yard free kick was palmed over two handed by a fully extended Stephens.

The Bassett back four generally coped well with the home side but a lapse in concentration on 15 minutes allowed a Headington attacker to waltz straight through the centre and thump home from close range high into the net.

Five minutes later things got worse for the visitors. A Headington player gained possession on the edge of the area, and curled the ball expertly high into the right hand corner for a two nil advantage against the run of play.

Considering recent results it may have been expected that Bassett would fold at this point. However Player-Manager Paul Jack entered the fray to strengthen the defence and Bassett responded well. They went close to scoring from Jack and Lynch headers from corners before Lynch had a cracking drive turned over by the home 'keeper.

Finally Bassett got their reward on the half hour when Rob Mitchell broke into the box before firing an unstoppable shot over the 'keeper into the top left hand corner to halve the arrears. Less than five minutes later a resurgent Bassett were level. Tim Lewis took the ball down in the box before finishing clinically into the bottom right hand corner to level the game at 2-2.

A slightly nervy final stage of the half ensued for Bassett with a mixture of determined defending and a couple of decent claims by Stephens seeing the away side through to the break on level terms.

Bassett made some personnel changes at half time and played second fiddle to Headington in the second half. Early chances for Kevin Currier, Kenny Campbell and Roger Webb were not taken and it was left to the Bassett back four (in which Paul Jack was outstanding) and second half 'keeper Sean Boyle to keep the back door shut in the face of increasing Headington pressure.

Indeed everyone in blue put in a real shift and largely restricted the hosts to long range shots off target, though Boyle did have to tip over his bar and fend a shot out from closer range before Bassett almost self destructed in the closing moments.

Paul Jack who had hardly put a foot wrong played a back pass blind for his 'keeper. It landed at the feet of a Headington striker who from only six yards out blazed hopelessly into the side netting.

Boyle also had to turn a tame effort round the post before the determined boys in blue could claim their first away point of the season.

Amazingly they almost gained a last gasp three points when Bassett's Tim Lewis went clear in the area but bent his shot wide instead of in.

This much cherished point keeps Bassett one off the bottom and three points clear of basement boys North Leigh who Bassett visit on the last day of the season.

Before then there are two home games to negotiate against high flyers Chinnor and Goring. But with another point on the board and the goal drought over, Bassett have nothing to fear.

Man of the Match: Player-Manager Paul Jack who defended resolutely and was a threat from set pieces at the other end.

Credit: Ceri Stephens
Last modified on Monday 3rd May 2021 at 09:23