Royal Wootton Bassett Town Under 18s saw their Wiltshire League Floodlit Division title hopes all but ended after a 2-1 loss away against Calne Town.

Bassett knew nothing short of a win was needed to keep the pressure on Devizes Town after their loss against the leaders a fortnight ago. But ultimately Bassett came up short against a Calne side who they had narrowly beaten by the odd goal in three in November.

The return fixture was again a close affair.

Bassett should have gone ahead in the first 20 minutes, Euan Spackman and James Johnson both firing over when presented with good chances in the 18-yard box.

The visitors did eventually take the lead in the 22nd minute, Sonny James netting from the edge of the six-yard box after the Calne defence failed to deal with a corner from the right and a goalmouth scramble ensued.

Bassett then suffered a blow when the influential Johnson was forced to come off due to an ankle injury.

Still, they went close to extending their lead just after the half hour mark, Kieran Legg getting on the end of a cross from the right but sending his shot just over.

Harrison Dunsden then went close to getting the equaliser for Calne five minutes from the break, the ball falling to him on the edge of the box, but his powerful shot went just over the bar.

Calne were not to be denied for long though. Right on the stroke of half time Bassett 'keeper Louis Smith pulled off a great save, turning a powerful shot from the edge of the box round the post for a corner. However, from the resulting set piece Smith failed to deal with the deep cross and the ball was turned in by Jacob Sealy at the far post for 1-1.

The second half remained nip and tuck with the better chances falling the way of the home side. In the 50th minute a ball over the top found Dunsden behind the visitors back line but his shot went just over, and it remained all square.

Indeed, it remained that way until ten minutes from time when Bassett defender Zane Pinnock was caught in the middle of his own half trying to dribble the ball out and was dispossessed. A quick pass then into the right hand channel found Liam Brooks, who was upended in the box and a penalty awarded to the home side. Leading scorer Dunsden took the responsibility and safely dispatched the ball into the net for his ninth of the season to make it 2-1 to Calne.

A few minutes later Calne had strong shouts for a second penalty but this time the officials waved play-on.

With the game and their title aspirations draining away, there was little offered by Bassett in the closing minutes. They did force a couple of corners but never really looked like getting back on level terms and it ultimately finished 2-1 to the home side.

Credit: Mark Smedley
Last modified on Thursday 3rd March 2022 at 08:49