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

RWBTFC Scorers:
Bailey Gallagher, Alfie Presley

Presley late show seals derby win

Gerard Buxton Sports Ground, 15 April 2022

Alfie Presley slammed home a late winner as Royal Wootton Bassett Town came from behind to defeat rivals Shrivenham 2-1 in a close run derby contest.

While by no means the most convincing or deserved win recorded this season, the result took Sam Collier's side to the highest points total Bassett have recorded in the Hellenic League Premier Division. And it keeps alive the team's hopes of finishing above fellow local rivals Fairford Town, with victory in the final game of the season against Corsham Town required to do that.

The prospects of achieving the latter appeared rather fraught for the majority of the game though. And Presley's winner - scored with less than five minutes to go - came as a relief with Bassett having laboured for long periods of the game.

Shrivenham may have fought hard, but having not won for fourteen games going into the contest, they were clearly there for the taking.

However, Bassett were unable to convert a significant amount of early pressure and ultimately fell behind.

Bassett were almost presented with a second minute lead when a mishit Matt Crowther goal kick fell straight into the path of Presley but the 'keeper redeemed himself as he saved with his feet when the forward was through one-on-one.

Bassett then had at least five more decent opportunities to find the game's first goal but lacked the necessary final touch.

On eight minutes John Mills played a clever give-and-go with Presley from a short free kick but could only find the side netting.

He then shot straight at Crowther before twice failing to locate the target, with Bailey Gallagher also twice unable to find a way past the 'keeper after fashioning space for himself.

And Shrivenham eventually took advantage of Bassett's profligacy, taking a 31st minute lead against the run of play that they wound up taking into the interval.

Jamie Stones clipped a ball over the top, which fortuitously broke for Jonathan Peachey-Score and the left winger lifted a fine lob over an onrushing Eddie Cavanagh to put the visitors in front.

Although lacking a killer instinct in front of goal, up to that point Bassett had looked in control. But Peachey-Score's strike appeared to dent the confidence Bassett had been playing with.

While Mills saw a close range shot blocked early in the second half, Bassett were forced to be patient before eventually grabbing an equaliser just after the hour.

A clever move saw the ball worked from left to right through Presley, Chris Taylor and Mills to an unmarked Gallagher. The winger then took one touch before drilling a low effort towards goal which had just too much power for Crowther to keep out.

Bassett were somewhat fortunate to remain on level terms though as a Shrivenham break almost yielded a second for the visitors. But Cavanagh did well to palm away a Peachey-Score effort while Josh Elms was unable to guide home the rebound.

The game at this point became stretched with Mills heading into the arms of Crowther from a Gallagher cross before narrowly flashing wide from the edge of the box.

Then with twelve minutes left Bassett were handed what should have been a significant advantage when substitute Adam Bright was sent off for hauling down Mills just minutes after his introduction.

However, despite being reduced to ten men it was Shrivenham who created the two next best openings as Shane Hibbert struck over with a snap twenty yard shot before Cavanagh brilliantly turned Bilal Durdu's firm strike around the post.

Having survived those two scares, Bassett eventually struck the game's decisive third goal.

Antonio Gerrish had just come close, lifting onto the roof of the net after driving forward from midfield. But Presley went one better.

After neat interplay between Gallagher and Scott Chilcott, Mills twisted his way past two defenders before squaring to his strike partner Presley, who fired home from ten yards out to seal a last gasp triumph.

Man of the match: John Mills - although not quite finding his own shooting range, Mills played a decisive role in both of Bassett's goals, providing two more valuable assists.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 16th April 2022 at 11:29

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

RWBTFC Scorers:
Bailey Gallagher, Alfie Presley