An equalizing Chinnor goal 30 seconds from the end left Royal Wootton Bassett Town Over 50s shattered after a high-scoring encounter that they appeared on the verge of winning.

The hosts had led 3-0 and again 4-3 until the Chinnor late, late show denied them a precious three points. Instead, Bassett had to settle for a share of the spoils in this entertaining 4-4 draw. The point leaves Bassett second from bottom and no closer to Chinnor, a place above them in the Oxfordshire Over 50s Premier Division table.

Bassett flew out of the traps early in this game and pinned the visitors in their own half with energy and no little skill. After several half chances, they were rewarded for their bright opening on 15 minutes. Centre half Eddie Stephenson, who was a towering presence all afternoon, got into the act at the other end of the pitch. His perfectly judged free kick into the box was met by Steve Lynch who rose to power an unstoppable header into the top corner.

Rather than resting on their laurels, Bassett pressed hard to double their advantage and came close to doing so on 20 minutes. Midfielder Bryan Watson expertly connected with a dropping ball from fully 20 yards out and his fierce dipping volley brought the best out of the Chinnor 'keeper who leapt to tip the shot over.

Even better was to come just minutes later. A sweeping free flowing move started by Paul Gardner's pinpoint ball up the line was continued by Andy Huggins, who collected before driving towards the area and picking out Jason Parr at the far post. Parr steadied himself before hammering home off the 'keeper's hand in emphatic fashion.

Bassett now found themselves in the rare position of being 2-0 ahead. Instead of growing in confidence though, the hosts seemed to lack belief for the rest of the half and allowed Chinnor to gain a foothold in the contest through a combination of careless passing and less movement off the ball.

Chinnor almost made them pay from a corner when a forward was left unmarked six yards out but headed just over. Home 'keeper Stephens was also called into action as he pushed out a low effort which was tidied up and cleared by defender Steve Lynch to take Bassett into the break with their two goal lead intact.

Coaching duo Darren Hayes and Sean Boyle did their best to calm the Bassett nerves at half time, and the home side got off to the perfect start by extending their lead to 3-0 on 50 minutes. Tim Lewis did well to tussle for the ball in the Chinnor danger zone, and the ball eventually bounced up for Chris Cooper to hit a sumptuous half volley which crashed high into the net leaving the 'keeper grasping thin air and Bassett in dreamland!

Unfortunately Bassett were still out of sorts and despite the sterling efforts of the back four in particular and Stephens playing sweeper 'keeper to good effect, they were eventually undone by a mistake. Mike Rouse in midfield tried to pass backwards but his misdirected ball by-passed all his team mates to land perfectly in the path of a Chinnor forward who strode on into the area and fired past Stephens to bring Chinnor back into the game.

Chinnor tails were now up and Bassett were rattled. Moments later the visitors struck again. A Chinnor wide man harried Bassett's Steve Lynch. Having stolen the ball he drove into the box before picking out the head of the visiting number seven who planted the ball back across Stephens and into the corner of the net to bring the hosts back to just one goal adrift.

The tide of the game had moved in Chinnor's direction and they duly equalized. Once more a wide man got in too easily on the Bassett right, and this time a low cross was steered home from ten yards with Stephens scrambling across in vain to try to keep it out with his feet.

Both sides then had opportunities to claim a fourth as Bassett climbed up off the canvas to fight on and Chinnor kept slugging. Chris Cooper had a shot on target and also hit the side netting as he slid in at the far post. Stephens held on well to a low Chinnor shot from an angle and the Bassett defence continued to put in some great tackles and clearing headers as the contest went from end to end.

With the game well past the eighty minute mark, Bassett struck what they surely thought would be the winner. Tim Lewis foraged for possession and fed Rob Mitchell, whose precise pass was wonderfully blasted home by Andy Huggins into the bottom corner to send Bassett 4-3 ahead.

The goal did not prove decisive as Chinnor showed true grit to find a last gasp equalizer. A ball played into the area reached the Chinnor number seven with defender Bob Ellis in close attendance. The otherwise excellent Ellis misjudged his attempt to win the ball and was left grounded as the Chinnor forward skipped past him and thumped home from close range with seconds remaining.

The final whistle was met by looks of anguish on Bassett faces. They knew that this was a game they should have won but ultimately had let slip. On a positive note, it is only the second time the home side have avoided defeat, and we have to take our strong opening to this match into our cup tie with fellow strugglers North Leigh Red on Sunday 6 February.

Bassett Man of the Match: Eddie Stephenson - a commanding performance from the big Scot who was imperious in defence and also got an assist for our opener. A pity he was forced off through injury for the last few minutes and so not able to help us see the game out. He was as gutted as anyone that he didn't finish on the winning side.

Credit: Ceri Stephens
Last modified on Tuesday 25th January 2022 at 08:41