Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development's trip to Pewsey Vale next Saturday is on course to be a Wiltshire League title decider after Steve Yeardley's side suffered an agonising 2-1 defeat away against Trowbridge Town.

Only Bassett's second loss of the campaign in their 30th fixture, the result means the side's lead at the top remains at two points with two games to go.

Unless Pewsey suffer a surprise result against Stratton Juniors in their penultimate fixture in midweek, it is now likely Bassett will need to avoid defeat to keep their title hopes alive when they visit the Vale next Saturday.

That's thanks to the rare setback Bassett suffered away at Woodmarsh in a tight contest that saw a flurry of late goals.

Like the meeting between the teams at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground in January, the opening period had been a tight affair with limited chances at either end. Indeed, the first half saw both sides reverting to long balls with the defences on top.

The first half chance of any note saw Trowbridge's Josh Howlett head over from a Jamie Jordan free kick on fifteen minutes. Five minutes later the hosts were awarded a free kick dead central on the edge of the box, but once again thy failed to take advantage of the set piece.

The first real opening for Bassett came on 28 minutes when Matt Bennett's cross from the right found Ryan Withers but his shot was fired straight at Trowbridge 'keeper Cameron Miller who saved easily.

Both sides were to create one more decent opportunity in the half, Trowbridge's George Bendle seeing his low shot turned around the post by Simon Notman, while at the other end Mani Mesas saw his low shot go just wide of the far post as the teams turned round with the game still looking for its first goal.

The best two early chances of the second half fell the way of the visitors. On 56 minutes a cross from the right from Bennett found the head of Withers but he was unable to direct the header downwards and it went over the bar. Four minutes later a poor kick-out from Miller fell to substitute James Johnson 25-yards out from goal but his powerful low shot went just wide of the post.

The visitors then did not help their cause when on 65 minutes 'keeper Notman reacted to a foot up from a Trowbridge forward by berating the referee for not awarding him a free kick when he had already safely gathered the ball. Notman was sent to the sin-bin with captain Nick Mason donning the gloves for ten minutes.

Three minutes into the ten minutes sin-bin period a ball over the top from player-manager Jordan found Mark Robinson clear on goal but he fired well over.

Bassett saw out the remaining period of numerical disadvantage with stand-in keeper Mason keeping a clean sheet by the time Notman returned to the action.

The match remained goalless deep into the second half until the Bees took the lead courtesy of a super free kick from Ollie Dew nine minutes from time.

Having fallen behind, Bassett started to throw caution to the wind and send extra players forward. First, centre back George Drewitt went close to getting on the end of a Sam Ockwell free kick, but the danger was cleared by the Trowbridge defence. Then four minutes from time, defender Josh Connolly, who had been brought on up front to add extra physical presence, headed back to Bennett on the edge of the box, but he fired over the bar as once again Bassett failed to test Miller.

With Bassett still chasing to get back on level terms, Trowbridge soon led 2-0. Catching the visitors on the break a ball over the top found Robinson who lifted a cool lob over Notman and into the back of the net.

Defender Ryan Baggs then had a chance to extend Trowbidge's lead further after neat set-up play but shot tamely at Notman.

When Ockwell fired a free kick from the edge of the area just wide of the post it looked like Bassett would fail to score for the first time this season.

However, the visitors did eventually pull one back as Matt Bennett scored his 42nd goal of the season from the penalty spot.

But that goal proved too little too late as there was just about time for Trowbridge to take the kick-off before the final whistle was blown, with Bassett ultimately unable to increase the advantage they hold at the top.

It's set to be an even tenser - but still thrilling - finale to what has been an entertaining, back and forth race between Bassett and Pewsey.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 17th April 2022 at 13:05