Royal Wootton Bassett TownRWBTFC
Salisbury Development
Royal Wootton Bassett Town Logo
2 ‒ 1
Salisbury Development Logo

RWBTFC Scorers:
Matt Bennett (2)

Development side move top of the table

Second in the table Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development had lost their 100% winning record in midweek but remained unbeaten after coming back from 2-1 down to share the points with Calne Town Reserves. They had what looked another tough looking fixturewhen they entertained an in-form Salisbury Development side, and it proved to be just that. Come full time, however, Bassett had returned to winning ways as they triumphed 2-1. Results elsewhere also meant they moved to the top of the Wiltshire League.

Whilst the visitors had a lot of possession in the opening half hour minutes it was the home side who created the better early chances. Ryan Withers should have done better with a chance on 13 minutes when he got behind the defence, but his weak shot came to nothing and four minutes later, the same player cutting in from the left curled a shot just wide of the post.

On the half hour mark Khedive McIntosh, again cutting in from the left, should also have done better for the home side but his shot was easily saved by Salisbury 'keeper Dan McCarthy.

However, it was ultimately visitors Salisbury who got their noses in front when a shot from Ed Timberley was pushed onto the bar by Bassett 'keeper Simon Notman but the ball fell to Layton Tulk who fired in for his fourth of the season.

Just as it looked like Salisbury would go into the break one goal to the good, Matt Bennett chased down the Salisbury defence as they played out from the back, winning the ball and slipping it to Gio Wrona who returned the compliment to put Bennett in the clear with a defence splitting pass that the division's leading scorer made no mistake with to make it 1-1.

There was still time for a chance at both ends. McIntosh forced McCarthy into a good save before Salisbury, going straight up the other end, created an opportunity which Timberly sent just wide of the post.

The second half saw Bassett step up their game. In particular, they were finding the ball over the top was creating problems for the Salisbury back line. From one such move Nick Mason found himself one-on-one with the 'keeper but McCarthy bravely dived at his feet and cleared the danger.

Bassett then went in front for the first time in the game when another long ball over the top found substitute Brett Fairclough, who recently transferred from Calne Town. Fairclough, finding himself clear of the defence, unselfishly put the ball across for Bennett to finish for his 15th of the season.

Fairclough was certainly making an impact and from another cross, McIntosh spurned an open goal and it remained 2-1. There was an even worse miss two minutes later when Bennett had what looked his easiest chance of the game to complete a hat-trick but somehow managed to place his header against the crossbar with the whole goal wide open.

Both sides pushed for another goal but there was to be no more scoring as it ended 2-1 in what had been an even contest between two good sides.

Bassett are now the only unbeaten side in the division - and also moved top of the league as a result of Pewsey Vale's defeat away against Malmesbury Victoria Development.

Credit: Mark Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 26th September 2021 at 13:50

Royal Wootton Bassett TownRWBTFC
Salisbury Development
Royal Wootton Bassett Town Logo
2 ‒ 1
Salisbury Development Logo

RWBTFC Scorers:
Matt Bennett (2)