Clearly inspired by a pre-match DVD featuring Del Boy Trotter and co. in "Jolly Boys' Outing" , Royal Wootton Bassett Town Over 50s enjoyed a famous away day of their own. In the illustrious surroundings of the England training complex at St. George's Park, Burton-on-Trent, the teams played like millionaires, and goals by Bryan "Boycie" Watson and Steve "Rodney" Lynch sealed a thoroughly deserved 2-0 win for the visitors who were superbly hosted as always by our good friends at the Royal Air Force FA.
In true Only Fools And Horses style, Bassett set their stall out early with a disciplined two banks of four formation, supplemented by the twin spearhead of Watson and Lynch. The opening exchanges saw the RAF hosts have the lion's share of the ball, but coming up against a red Bassett wall that denied them any sight of goal for all their possession.
Bassett weathered the early pressure and began to string some good moves together, often instigated by Jason "Del Boy" Parr down the left flank and the impressive Rob Mitchell on the opposite side. Steve Lynch was a like a man possessed as he drove at the RAF defence with pace and purpose at every opportunity and Bryan Watson, playing just in behind him, was the perfect foil as he looked to find space in and around the box to hurt the opposition. The shape was held together at the centre by the ever reliable duo of Chris Cooper and Steve Fisher. When Cooper had to succumb to his troublesome hamstring, Bassett reshuffled seamlessly with substitutes Bryan Cooper, Kenny Campbell, Tim Lewis and Ted Keep helping to maintain a strong performance for the whole 90 minutes
A flowing move from Bassett panicked the RAF into conceding a cheap indirect free kick inside the area when the goalkeeper handled a back pass under pressure. Bryan Watson teed up Steve Lynch but his powerful drive was too high to cause additional problems for the 'keeper. Soon after Steve Fisher turned and shot over as Bassett continued to ask questions of the RAF, while at the other end Stephens was a virtual spectator in the visiting goal aside from the occasional clearance from a back pass. The only other danger to his goal was a high ball in, which Gary Donnelly at centre back headed out decisively.
Bassett finally found the missing accuracy on 20 minutes. Jason Parr swung in a beautifully flighted corner and the ball reached Bryan Watson, who had found space to nod in from close range. The expected response from the home side failed to arrive thanks to the phenomenal work rate of the Bassett team out of possession and the ability to vary their game between short passing and long balls, notably from Gary Donnelly, to turn the RAF defence and get Bassett attackers in behind them to threaten their goal.
Half-time arrived with Bassett going in good value for their slender advantage and determined to keep up their high standards in the second period to finish the job off. The RAF were equally determined to find a way back into the match and they finally found a way to create some chances from their possession. An RAF attacker got free on the edge of the area but Stephens advanced to shut down his options and comfortably saved a shot that was straight at him.
Bassett survived this early second half scare and continued to play at a quicker and more direct tempo. Rob Mitchell, who was superb all game, fired an effort towards goal. Then, on the hour mark, the visitors came so close to doubling their lead when Steve Lynch powered his way into the box and his low cross shot was destined for the boot of Jason "Del Boy" Parr at the far post until a miraculous last ditch intervention from an RAF covering defender diverted the ball out for a corner.
Next to try his luck was Tim Lewis. He ran onto a through pass and expertly clipped the ball over the advancing 'keeper only to fluff his lines and fire wide of the open goal.
To his credit, Lewis did not drop his head and soon contributed to the decisive second Bassett goal on 75 minutes. He ran hard to get onto a through ball and cut the ball back perfectly to Steve Lync,h who took a touch and slammed past a helpless 'keeper to double Bassett's advantage.
It was now just a case of Bassett keeping their concentration to complete a memorable win. The defence, including Bob Ellis, Paul Gardner, Gary Donnelly and Jeremy Smith, were faultless all game and when Smith was unable to continue late on Jason Parr dropped back to maintain the Bassett shield wall.
The RAF did have a couple of efforts on goal in the latter stages but both were confidently handled by Stephens in goal and a free kick also crashed into the Bassett wall at the death.
The Bassett team were jubilant at the final whistle.
And with flaming Sambucas to smooth the journey back, it really had all been Lovely Jubbly!
Bassett Man Of The Match: I would like to say everyone, including management duo Eddie and Sean, but it has to be Steve Lynch. The lad was like a human dynamo and notched another to stay firmly in the lead in the Bassett scoring charts. Although Steve stood out, everyone who played, managed and supported today should be bursting with pride on a fantastic performance and result, on a great day out.
PS In case you are questioning my nickname of Boycie for Bryan Watson, I know there is no resemblance, but he was requesting a cigar for each goalscorer on the return journey!
Credit: Ceri Stephens
Last modified on Monday 28th February 2022 at 13:07
