Sustain Stadium, 16 August 2022

Five games into the 2022-23 season and Royal Wootton Bassett Town's Men's First Team are still unbeaten. An impressive 4-1 home triumph against Thornbury Town helped secure that achievement for Sam Collier's side as they also made it two wins from their opening three Hellenic League Premier Division fixtures.

In an open contest whose entertainment value was enhanced by the cooler temperature and - much needed - rain that contributed towards a slick surface at the Sustain Stadium, Bassett powered to victory thanks to three second half goals.

The home side had led at the break, with Alfie Presley connecting with a Bailey Gallagher cross to head Bassett in front after just eight minutes.

But in truth it had been an even first half.

Both sides passed the ball around well, with Thornbury appearing a much improved outfit from that which faced and lost to Bassett on three occasions during their debut step five campaign.

Spearheaded by a dynamic central midfield performance from man of the match Jack Hobson-McVeigh, Chris Taylor and Tommy Ouldridge, Bassett did start to get on top as half time neared with debutant Luke Matthews forcing a good save from Mackenzie Welsh on the stroke of half time.

That was a sign of things to come after the restart, with Bassett quick out of the blocks.

Early pressure eventually told as brilliant work from Matt Bennett turned his marker inside out and the forward crossed to the far post where Louis Spalding was on hannd to head home just before the hour.

Up to this point it had been all Bassett, but a lapse shortly after scoring almost allowed Thornbury to reduce their arrears with Matt Crowther forced to pay close attention to a shot that went narrowly wide.

After Bennett had been thwarted by Welsh after a jinking run, the veterans marksman eventually got the goal his performance deserved as he started and finished a swift move. Bennett sprayed a crossfield pass to Gallagher whose fine cross was met by Bennett at the far post to make a third headed goal of the night for Bassett.

The game was not yet over though.

Thornbury grabbed a lifeline through a Luke Franklin stunner. And that seemed to unsettle Bassett for a period.

However, any nerves were eventually settled when Kai Robinson wrested back possesion with a strong tackle. He then passed to Gallagher whose through ball split the Thornbury defence, allowing Ouldridge - who had timed his run perfectly - to latch on and coolly slot past Welsh.

All in all, it continued what - on the whole - has been a strong start to the campaign results-wise, with this performance competing with that at Windsor for the honour of being the best so far this season.

All good things must come to an end at some point. But avoid defeat on Saturday against Reading City and Bassett will know they'll at least be in the hat for the Emirates FA Cup first qualifying round - perhaps even with their place fully confirmed.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Tuesday 16th August 2022 at 22:03