Royal Wootton Bassett TownRWBTFC
Malvern Town
Royal Wootton Bassett Town Logo
2 ‒ 1
Malvern Town Logo

RWBTFC Scorers:
Sam Packer, Chris Taylor

Bassett send Hillsiders Packing

Gerard Buxton Sports Ground, 22 January 2022

Royal Wootton Bassett Town recorded arguably their most impressive league win of the season as Sam Collier's side defeated promotion chasing Malvern Town 2-1.

A far cry from the 5-2 reverse suffered at the hands of the Hillsiders in the teams' October meeting in Worcestershire, Bassett defended resolutely throughout against the Hellenic League Premier Division's leading scorers. That meant Chris Taylor's early penalty and Sam Packer's second half poacher's finish ultimately proved enough for Bassett to claim all three points.

Given Malvern's potent attack and with the visitors seeking to bring to an end a run of indifferent form that had seen them win just once in the previous six, Bassett knew that they would have to be at their best to take anything from the game. And Collier's troops duly delivered.

The defence, unsurprisingly, was tested early and often. But they stood firm to frustrate Malvern. Meanwhile, in attack Bassett made the most of the opportunities they were able to create.

Indeed, Bassett unsettled their opponents early, taking the lead after just seven minutes. Sam Morris was tripped as he broke into the box, and his central midfield partner Taylor coolly sent 'keeper Keiron Blackburn the wrong way from the spot.

After the teams exchanged chances, with Packer skewing wide for Bassett and Ben Hayes blazing over for Malvern, the visitors began to seize the upper hand.

Controlling play, they sought to grind Bassett down in search of an equaliser. Try as they might though, Malvern's pressure appeared as though it was going to be in vain as half time neared. Their best chance fell to Dave Reynolds who squeezed a free kick narrowly wide of the post while Matt Turner had a shot from inside the area deflected over.

However, with less than three minutes to go until the interval, Malvern finally equalised. It was a rather cheap goal for Bassett to concede too. After a Lewis Platt header bounced off the bar, Cavanagh appeared to be in a good position to punch away the danger. But the 'keeper went for finesse over power in his attempt to clear and the ball dropped for Turner who stabbed in with a simple, gift-wrapped finish.

Arriving on the verge of the half time, the equalising goal must have given Bassett a sense of déjà vu as last week's visit to Westfields – Malvern's fellow rivals for promotion – had seen Bassett go ahead early only to concede not long before the break.

In that contest, Bassett were second best after the restart, going on to lose 3-1. There was to be no repeat this time though.

Malvern continued to threaten. Shortly after play resumed a Reynolds free kick deflected off the Bassett wall, with this redirecting the ball in the opposite direction and narrowly wide of the upright. The visitors then believed they should have had a penalty as Joe Bates went to ground as he sought to make a run to meet the resulting corner. Kyonn Evans also had a chance but was unable to shoot on target as the hosts remained resolute at the back.

Bassett then struck what proved to be the decisive blow on the hour mark. The tricky Packer drew a foul in the right corner and from the resulting free kick, which was fizzed across the face of the six-yard box by John Mills, he stole in at the far post, ghosting past his marker to guide home a fine first time finish.

Behind again, Malvern failed to muster a response. Adam Sauntson saw two opportunities go begging, while, sandwiched between those, Evans had the ball in the net only for an offside flag to chalk it off.

After Reynolds failed to locate the target with ten minutes remaining, Bassett broke up the other end and almost sealed the match, only for Blackburn to deny substitute Alfie Presley.

Still in the match thanks to that save, Malvern continued to exert pressure on Bassett. And with time winding down, they earned a free kick in a dangerous position, but Cavanagh produced an excellent save of his own to tip over from Joe Bullock's free kick and help preserve a fine victory.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 22nd January 2022 at 19:10

Royal Wootton Bassett TownRWBTFC
Malvern Town
Royal Wootton Bassett Town Logo
2 ‒ 1
Malvern Town Logo

RWBTFC Scorers:
Sam Packer, Chris Taylor