A hard-fought 1-0 win against third place Trowbridge Town saw Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development close the gap to Wiltshire League Premier Division leaders Pewsey Vale.

Jamie Jordan's Trowbridge side came into the game in free-scoring form, having hit 24 goals in winning their previous three games, whilst Bassett have also not been shy in front of goal this season and were averaging just short of five goals per game. Bassett also have the meanest defence in the division though, conceding just eleven goals in their previous 17 games, and it was always likely to be a tight affair with limited goals despite the two sides' potency in front of goal. And so it proved.

In a tight first half the teams turned round at half time with the game still looking for a goal. The second half continued in a similar vein until the deadlock was finally broken on 65 minutes, Jon Beeden heading in from a George Lance corner. The linesman flagged for offside with Tyler Sheppard close to the goalkeeper, but he was overruled by the referee who allowed the goal to stand.

Trowbridge pressed hard for an equaliser while Bassett also had further chances to wrap up victory, but both Matt Bennett and Ryan Withers missed opportunities they would normally put away on a day when the two normally free-scoring sides were poor in front of goal.

Trowbridge also had a man sent off late on for denying a goalscoring chance when substitute Nathaniel Bell was brought down on the edge of the box.

The win for Bassett was only their second in the last ten meetings against Trowbridge and saw them close the gap to leaders Pewsey to six points, with two games in hand still to play and a superior goal difference - which could yet prove important come the end of the season.

Credit: Mark Smedley
Last modified on Monday 31st January 2022 at 10:13