Royal Wootton Bassett Town Over 50s came down from their RAF winning cloud with a bump as they lost 2-0 at home to Hazlemere Sports Athletic in the Oxfordshire Over 50s Premier League.
The result confirms that Bassett will drop into a newly created second tier next season. Hazlemere, however, boosted their hopes of remaining in the Premier Division as their away success lifted them into third spot as they look to avoid a fourth place play-off to retain their top flight status.
The hosts began slugglishly and allowed the Buckinghamshire visitors to dominate possession in the early stages. Stephens in the home goal hung on to three decent shots in the first fifteen minutes as Hazlemere ran the show. It seemed only a matter of time before Bassett conceded but the Hazlemere number 19 failed to apply the finishing touch to a sweeping move. With an open goal at his mercy he ballooned his effort over the bar.
Hazlemere continued to look more threatening and finally hit the front on 25 minutes. A good burst down the right from their impressive number 8 and a good low cross was finished clinically by the visitors' number nine, who got in front of his marker to lift the ball expertly over the keeper to take Hazlemere into a thoroughly deserved lead.
Although not playing at their best, Bassett worked hard to stay in the game and occasionally threatened to get in behind the visiting defence through willing runs by the likes of Andy Huggins and Steve Lynch. This effort didn't produce any clear cut chances for the home side though, and Bassett soon had a mountain to climb when Hazlemere scored again.
A soft free kick was conceded right on the 18 yard line. The number 9 stepped up to whip a great effort on goal which Stephens managed to touch before it crashed away off the crossbar. A Hazlemere player reacted quickest to head the ball in as Stephens tried in vain to reach it.
Head coach Eddie Stephenson asked for a big improvement after the break and in fairness he got it. Andy Huggins almost brought Bassett back in contention with a rasping twenty-yard drive which hit the bar, and Steve Fisher and Rob Mitchell also had decent efforts just off target. The visiting 'keeper saved a couple of other on target efforts and late on Stephens made a save with his legs and batted away another well struck shot to prevent a heavier defeat.
To be honest, Hazlemere sat on their two goal cushion and challenged Bassett to get back into the game. The home side did make a better fist of it in the second half, but never really looked capable of rescuing this encounter.
A disappointing day for the boys in blue but we must put it behind us now and strive to be better when we take on Goring Old Boys in a cup quarter final at home next Sunday.
Man of the Match: Ceri Stephens - made a couple of decent saves on a day when no one really stood out in Bassett colours.
Credit: Ceri Stephens
Last modified on Monday 7th March 2022 at 08:48
