Hazlemere Sports Athletic Over 50s were given a real Halloween fright by visiting Royal Wootton Bassett Town Over 50s but held their nerve to prevail narrowly by 2-1. First half goals from Symon Guy and James Bathija put the hosts in pole position at half time but a committed fight back by Bassett saw Steve Fisher halve the deficit for the visitors who went close on a number of occasions to levelling things up only to fall just short of doing so.

Hazlemere controlled the opening exchanges as Bassett too often conceded possession cheaply in the opening quarter. Despite their strong share of possession the home side played most of their football in front of Bassett and threatened only sporadically with efforts from distance that failed to trouble Stephens in the away goal.

On 20 minutes Bassett gifted Hazlemere the opening goal, a string of inaccurate passes and poor control involving goalkeeper and defenders trying to play out from the back was pounced on by Hazlemere who stole the ball just outside the area before Symon Guy strode into the danger zone and shot powerfully in via Stephens' left hand.

The game followed a similar pattern for the remainder of the half with Bassett tending to overhit their passes towards the attacking third and Hazlemere keeping possession well but not creating any worthwhile chances until fate intervened on 40 minutes.

A through ball was thwarted by an offside flag. Goalkeeper Stephens jogged out of his area to retrieve the ball but to his surprise the referee had waved play on deeming Bassett to have an advantage with possession of the ball. Stephens was being closed down and opted to fire a clearance up the touchline. Unfortunately it was collected by a Hazlemere player who quickly played a long ball back to a team mate on the edge of the Bassett area. Stephens had just about recovered his ground so the Hazlemere player shaped to shoot then instead squared to James Bathija, who curled a beauty in off the far post with keeper and covering defenders left helpless.

At 2-0 down at half-time manager Paul Gardner rallied his troops and brought on Mike Rouse, Ian Penfold and Steve Fisher in place of John Stack, Ted Keep and Roger Webb. Straight from the off the away side played on the front foot and passed the ball with purpose with central midfield duo Brian Watson and Steve Lynch finding the front players regularly and Ian Penfold and Rob Mitchell raiding effectively on either flank. All this improvement was spearheaded by second half centre forward Steve Fisher who competed well for the ball and held up and linked the play as required.

Bassett went close with efforts by Steve Lynch from distance and Mike Rouse from inside the area before the impressive Fisher spotted the goalie off his line and thumped a screamer from the edge of the area which rose above him and into the net.

With twenty minutes left on the clock Bassett pressed strongly for an equaliser. Rob Mitchell was a constant threat and his wicked cross ball just evaded onrushing blue shirts at the far post and Steve Lynch was off target stretching to connect with a corner.

Bassett went three up top for the final 15 minutes with Tim Lewis introduced for left back Bob Elliott who was carrying a slight knock. Roger Webb also came back on to restore the defence to its full complement after Jeremy Smith limped off.

Undeterred by the personnel changes Bassett poured forward and Tim Lewis alone had three chances, dragging one wide, shooting wide from inside the area and getting ahead of a defender to guide a late effort on target that the keeper held onto. Steve Fisher almost got in for his second only to be denied by a brave save at his feet, and Paul Jack shot just too high on the half volley from close range.

Hazlemere had a header and free-kick on target, and another off target on the rare occasions they threatened in the closing stages.

The referee's final whistle was met with Halloween horror by the Bassett lads who knew they had played well enough to have taken something from the game but had failed to do so. Despite another defeat this was the closest Bassett had come to putting a point on the board this season. If we can replicate the second half performance for 90 minutes then it is just a matter of time before we get off the mark, and probably with all three points.

Man of the Match: Steve Lynch - A strong display from our super scouser who was dynamic from centre midfield. He really shone in particular after the break as he demanded the ball to inspire the Bassett fight back.

Credit: Ceri Stephens
Last modified on Tuesday 2nd November 2021 at 09:17