Sustain Stadium, Gerard Buxton Sports Ground, 8 November 2022
Royal Wootton Bassett Town's Wiltshire Premier Shield first round tie against Westbury United may have ended in a 5-2 defeat, but the final score was not indicative of how close a game it really was.
Indeed, only after a late three goal salvo did the Southern League Whitehorsemen get clear of Sam Collier's much changed, albeit still impressive side.
After an extremely busy opening three months of the season - and with Saturday's Isuzu FA Vase visit to Wellington in mind, the Bassett boss made seven changes to the team who drew with Worcester Raiders on Saturday. Recent signings Landon Golding and Matt Jones as well as talented youngsters Jowan Partridge and Harry Walters were the only players to start both games. Meanwhile, three players - young 'keeper Jack Rae, midfielder James Close and forward players Charlie McCrae were given their Men's First Team debuts.
It was an eleven with an experimental look. But they wound up giving it a good go and pushed Westbury most of the way.
Bassett even found themselves in a very early lead as pressing from Jones caught Ryan Bole dawdling on the ball deep inside his own box and his block on the defender's clearance found its way into the net.
Westbury would find themselves in front by the half hour mark though.
They drew level courtesy of Joe Stradling's thunderous strike into the top corner from distance.
A routine tap in from Harvey Flippance then made it 2-1 as the forward was on hand to mop up after Rae could only parry from Charlie Walton.
Westbury were by now on top but unable to extend their lead further, while Jones spurned a rare opportunity for the hosts shortly before the break.
Jones would eventually equalise though with around 25 minutes remaining. Scoring for the fourth time in three games, he fired into the top corner after McCrae had impressively glided past two defenders.
With the win up for grabs, it was Westbury who would land the decisive blow.
With five minutes to go, Walton squeezed the ball home.
The visitors then added to their ultimate margin of victory with substitute Gary Higdon steering in from close range and Bole heading emphatically into the net from a Jack Biddiscombe corner.
Bassett may be out at the first hurdle of the Premier Shield for the third time running, but despite a 5-2 loss, there were positives to take. There are also bigger things on the horizon on Saturday that many in the squad will now be well rested for.
Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Wednesday 9th November 2022 at 09:34
