Sustain Stadium, Gerard Buxton Sports Ground, 4 October 2022

For the majority of the night, Royal Wootton Bassett Town's opening meeting of the season with Roman Glass St George had all the characteristics of a forgettable midweek encounter. No goals, no clear cut chances and little real excitement.

That changed though as the match finally kicked into life in the final twenty minutes with a penalty miss, three goals - and ultimately an excellent come from behind win for Sam Collier's side.

Roman Glass - who had Bassett's number last season - should have been on course for victory when Shaquille Smith fired into the bottom corner after twisting and turning his way into the box.

But, rather than being his team's second goal of the night, it was only their first after Lewis Leigh-Gilchrist had seen a weak penalty saved by Matt Crowther minutes earlier.

Demonstrating the character that has seen them fight back to salvage something late on in three of their past four games, Bassett quickly restored parity as Louis Spalding tapped in at the far post.

The game was now there for the taking - and it was the hosts who seized all three points as patient build up play down the right saw Tommy Ouldridge feed a pass to the overlapping Scott Chilcott, who crossed for an unmarked Alfie Presley to headed in from six yards out.

With Worcester Raiders suffering a first defeat of the campaign, Bassett are now back up into third.

After eleven games this is now by a clear distance Bassett's best start to a Hellenic League Premier Division campaign.

And long may it continue.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Wednesday 5th October 2022 at 10:57