North Leigh Over 50s put on a sizzling Summer Sunday display to follow up their 7-0 thrashing of Headington Butchers with a comprehensive 5-1 success over Royal Wootton Bassett Town.

Bassett are now marooned three points adrift from their hosts with an insurmountable negative goal difference to overcome in their final fixture at home to Goring. They are now destined to finish their maiden season at this level bottom of the table.

This was clearly a much improved side from the North Leigh outfit beaten 2-0 earlier in the season in the only Bassett win to date.

The home side passed the ball intelligently and cut through the Bassett defence early on only to be thwarted by an instinctive reflex Stephens to turn aside a high drive for a corner.

It was not too much longer before North Leigh hit the front. A midfield player thundered a shot from the edge of the area which picked up pace as it burst through Stephens' outstretched left hand and into the top corner for 1-0.

North Leigh continued to press and before 20 minutes had elapsed they had added a second. The visitors lost possession and the ball was quickly transferred to the attacking right wing who put the ball on a sixpence for a team mate to apply the finishing touch from a yard out on the far post.

Bassett refused to capitulate and created chances of their own including a shot from Bryan Wood on target after he had been set up by Kenny Campbell. Winger Campbell also teed up Steve Fisher after a mazy wing run but the anguish of the striker whose attempt to force the ball home was foiled by a seemingly unseen hand was nothing compared to that of winger Campbell who broke his collar bone when falling awkwardly while making the cross.

Tim Lewis replaced him and quickly made an impact. His pinpoint corner was powered home by the head of Steve Howse at the far post to drag the visitors briefly back into the contest.

Tim Lewis also went close with a long range free kick which just cleared the bar from 30 yards. At the other end Stephens produced an almost identical second reflex save to deny North Leigh.

Just before half time came the killer blow for Bassett's hopes. Once again a player on the right found space to centre and his delivery was met by a flying header from the North Leigh number nine which crashed in off the upright for 3-1.

Bassett's squad was reduced from 15 to 13 at half time as the luckless Kenny Campbell had to be taken to hospital by the selfless Mike Rouse. Martyn Purcell came in on the left and Tim Lewis pushed further forward to support Fisher and Howse.

It proved to be of little consequence as the tide had already turned decisively in North Leigh's favour. Within a few minutes of the restart they pulled further clear with a fourth goal. Paul Jack, who made some brilliant tackles and clearances throughout, saw a cross ball ricochet off him straight to a North Leigh player who applied the simple finish from close range

At 4-1 down on a scorching day Bassett had to dig deep to prevent a rout. They did so and also managed to threaten the home goal as well. Bryan Watson had a stinging drive that was well saved low down by the home keeper and late on Steve Fisher had a good effort parried away before setting up substitute Ted Keep who was unable to find the target from close range.

North Leigh also had chances to extend their lead. Stephens made two or three further saves and also spread himself well at the feet of a North Leigh wide man to cause him to drag an effort off target.

Eventually number five arrived for the home team. A North Leigh forward sped past Jeremy Smith and found the bottom right hand corner from a tight angle. The closing stages included the aforementioned Fisher and Keep efforts and Stephens was relieved when his missed clearance attempt eventually resulted in a skied attempt after a goalmouth scramble.

Overall Bassett were beaten by a better team, but gave their all as usual. They were not helped by a lack of fresh legs to call upon in the second half on a very hot afternoon.

Man of the Match: Bryan Wood - he rarely gave the ball away due to accurate passing and is always a positive influence who encourages the rest of the lads. Well done Bryan

Credit: Ceri Stephens
Last modified on Monday 31st May 2021 at 10:30