Sustain Stadium, Gerard Buxton Sports Ground, 1 October 2022

Management duo Sam Collier and Alan Griffin came to the rescue for Royal Wootton Bassett Town as they both contributed to unbelieve late drama that saw their side claim a deserved point against Hellenic League Premier Division leaders Cribbs at the Sustain Stadium.

Griffin came off the bench to head Bassett level with eight minutes to go. But his goal seemed set to be for nothing when Cribbs earned a last minute penalty. However, Collier - forced to don the gloves for the afternoon – parried Joe Hillard's spot kick to ensure Bassett did not come away empty-handed from a game in which they more than matched their high-flying opponents.

That Collier found himself between the sticks was certainly not in the manager's plans. An injury crisis at Hungerford Town meant regular 'keeper Matt Crowther received a call up from his parent club late on Friday. With no other 'keeper registered, Collier was forced into a desperate search to sign an emergency shotstopper. The Bassett boss contacted around thirty 'keepers to try and entice them to play. However, for various reasons his search was unsuccessful.

The plan then was to start Griffin - who had produced heroics when taking over the gloves against Hereford Lads Club last season - in goal. However, Collier's assistant was returning from holiday and unlikely to make it to the ground in time from Bristol Airport.

Desperate times therefore called for the most desperate of measures as Collier signed himself on and pencilled his name next to the number one on the teamsheet. It was certainly not the ideal solution when facing a side in fine form and still yet to taste defeat in the league.

In the end though, it would all turn out fine. Well, just about.

Bassett had found themselves trailing at half time following a Collier error (and, admittedly, a huge slice of luck for the visitors) seven minutes before the interval.

After George Kellow weaved past two defender to open up space on the right, he delivered a cross into the box which the Bassett boss failed to hang on to. Collier then sought to make amends and clear with his feet. But after connecting with a strong swing of his left foot, the ball bounced straight off forward Jack Fillingham and into the net.

The goal meant the visitors were ahead despite not having had a proper shot – let alone one on target – in the opening period.

Up until then, it had been an evenly-matched contest, though Bassett arguably shaded things. Indeed, it was the hosts who had produced the only three shots on goal of the half, all of which fell to Matt Bennett. The forward dragged the first narrowly wide of the left post after latching onto a Luke Whelan through ball, before seeing a low shot from the edge of the area comfortably held on the dive by Rob Brown. After spinning past defender Ryan Crouch, he then skewed wide with his left foot when the better option would perhaps have been to square to Whelan.

Falling behind in the circumstances could have been terminal for Bassett. Yet, Cribbs – functional, well organised but, for a team at the top of the table, not anything overly special – did not take control of the match. Instead, they stayed in the same gear as they had played during the opening period, refused to commit more men forward and seemed content with their one goal lead.

To Bassett's credit, a strong performance from the back four frustrated the visitors and helped protect Collier.

Cribbs did finally produce some efforts on goal after the restart though, but the 'keeper was equal to them all. On the hour, he dived low to his left to deny Lewis Hedges after the midfielder twisted and turned to fashion space to shoot from twenty yards out. Minutes later, he was almost caught of his line but recovered to bat a snap Fillingham shot around the post. Then with ten minutes to go he was equal to substitute Owen Punselie's low drive after an incisive Cribbs counter attack.

At the other end, Bassett continued to probe, but to no avail. Griffin was therefore thrown into the fray with quarter of an hour left - and the substitution soon paid dividends.

With 85 minutes on the clock Jack Hobson-McVeigh swung a quick free kick into the box that caught Cribbs off guard. Bailey Gallagher was unable to control and shoot, but he was able to reclaim possession and worked with Gio Wrona to keep the ball in the left corner. Gallagher then passed to left back Louis Spalding who swung in a superb cross, which Griffin powerfully headed into the bottom corner of the net.

It was a goal that Bassett's quality of play and effort deserved. However, they seemed set to lose after a free kick deep in Cribbs territory came to nothing and the visitors were allowed to break. Out of desperation, Hobson-McVeigh dragged down Steve Murray in the box, earning the midfielder a straight red card.

Defender Hillard stepped up to take the penalty but, aiming to place the ball in the bottom left corner, he saw his weak attempt tipped away by Collier before Griffin thumped clear for good measure.

Bassett's management duo won't be there on the pitch to bail the team out every week – but, in the team's hour of need, they delivered in dramatic style.

Man of the match: Jowan Partridge – this may seem harsh on Sam Collier given his penalty save, but the young full back was Bassett's standout player. Calm and composed, Partridge helped keep Cribbs' attack in check, while also linking up well with Luke Whelan and, later, Alfie Presley down the right flank.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 1st October 2022 at 19:23