Sustain Stadium, Gerard Buxton Sports Ground, 2 January 2023

Royal Wootton Bassett Town dealt a potentially significant blow to Malvern Town's Hellenic League Premier Division title hopes as Matt Jones' clever late free kick earned Sam Collier's team a deserved share of the spoils against the league leaders.

With just four minutes of time remaining, Jones - spotting a gap between the Malvern wall and near side post - teased a low effort into the bottom left hand corner, leaving visiting 'keeper Keiron Blackburn rooted to the spot.

A helpless spectator as the ball glided in, Blackburn was left with no chance as his side's lead at the top was cut to just a single point with second place Cribbs still holding two games in hand.

For Bassett, the result produced another fine point against one of the division's leading lights and was a deserved reward for a determined, high quality display.

Indeed, it would have been harsh on Bassett to have come away empty-handed, having been on top for all but the opening ten minutes.

It was within that early period that Malvern took the lead. Just as against Corsham in their previous outing, Bassett were slow out of the blocks and were caught napping in the fifth minute when Dave Reynolds found himself with space in behind the home defence and coolly finished beyond the returning Matt Crowther.

Unlike against Corsham, however, one quick goal conceded did not turn into more.

Instead, the hosts found their stride, and there were chances at both ends for the remainder of the half.

Blackburn blocked Jones at the forward's feet before Crowther batted away a low Reynolds drive.

Opportunities continued to be exchanged with Alfie Presley steering narrowly wide of the Malvern net and Ben Hayes firing just over the Bassett goal.

Bassett then stepped up another gear after the restart and were almost on terms on 48 minutes when - in fortuitous circumstances - a Jowan Partridge cross-cum-shot rattled the frame of the goal.

A pair of solid saves from Crowther to deny Jack Horrell and Reynolds ensured Malvern continued to lead by the slimmest of margins. Meanwhile, Bassett still posed questions at the other end, though frustrating an equaliser remained elusive.

That was until four minutes from time. A foul by Phil Harris that earned the Malvern defender a red card presented Bassett with a free kick in prime position. And Jones struck up some set piece magic to draw his side level.

Malvern were then hanging on in the final stages, with Bassett just unable to snatch a winner that would have been even more costly for their high-flying, yet under pressure visitors.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Monday 2nd January 2023 at 17:39