Malvern Town
Royal Wootton Bassett TownRWBTFC
Malvern Town Logo
5 ‒ 2
Royal Wootton Bassett Town Logo

RWBTFC Scorers:
Alan Griffin (2)

Bassett no match for five-star Malvern

Langland Stadium, 16 October 2021

Royal Wootton Bassett Town's winless Hellenic League Premier Division run stretched to eight games as they fell to a heavy 5-2 defeat away against third place Malvern Town.

Bassett found themselves two goals down at the break before a quickfire second half double increased their deficit further. While Alan Griffin pulled one back from the penalty spot, Malvern added a fifth before Griffin headed in a late consolation deep in stoppage time.

Given Bassett's recent form and the fact they were facing the division's leading scorers on their own patch, a long, trying afternoon was a strong possibility. And so it proved.

Bassett found themselves a goal down after just nine minutes as a good spell of possession from Malvern culminated in Matt Turner teeing up Dave Reynolds, who fired home an emphatic opener.

The hosts' relentless, heavy pressing proved tough to deal with. That, coupled with Malvern's quality when on the ball, then contributed towards keeping 'keeper Eddie Cavanagh a busy man.

Bassett were forced to clear off the line on the quarter hour mark as the ball broke free following an aerial duel between Cavanagh and Reynolds.

A steady stream of pressure from Malvern followed, and the 'keeper pulled off a trio of fine saves to initially keep Bassett's deficit to a minimum. He first kept out Nathan Chowns Higgs' glancing header before ensuring James Febery's header did not creep over the line and denying Joe Bates from a free kick.

However, there was little he could do three minutes before the interval when Bates cut inside the wing and fired beyond the 'keeper for Malvern's second.

The past couple of games have seen Malvern surrender leads of two goals or more. Yet there was to be no three-peat.

Within a quarter of an hour of the restart they were four in front. Both Matt Turner and Harry Clark had come close to extending Malvern's advantage before the inevitable third arrived courtesy of Joe Bullock who weighted a fine chip over Cavanagh and into the net on 55 minutes.

Four minutes later, Chowns Higgs got in on the act. Picking up a half-cleared corner, he proceeded to curl home a fine strike from just outside the area.

Bassett were able to pull one back when Griffin slotted home a penalty after Bailey Gallagher had been fouled by Phil Harris.

Yet that goal offered only short term relief as Malvern reasserted themselves.

Bassett's resistance was then broken again on 88 minutes as Reynolds grabbed his second and Malvern's fifth of the game after good build up play from winger Harry Clark.

Griffin then headed home his second in the fourth minute of injury time. But this offered little succour to Bassett who were already well beaten.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 16th October 2021 at 18:17

Malvern Town
Royal Wootton Bassett TownRWBTFC
Malvern Town Logo
5 ‒ 2
Royal Wootton Bassett Town Logo

RWBTFC Scorers:
Alan Griffin (2)