Allpay Stadium, 14 January 2023

Royal Wootton Bassett Town produced an outstanding team performance to stun third place Westfields as Sam Collier's side triumphed 1-0 courtesy of Matt Bennett's opening minute goal.

It wasn't the case that Bassett somehow hung onto their lead for almost the entire 90 minutes either. Instead, the visitors were well worth the victory - and could even have run out winners by a greater margin in a tense, fiery encounter that produced chances at both ends.

In the end, it was Bassett's lightning fast start and an imperious defensive display that proved the difference.

The game was barely a minute old when Bennett struck for the ninth time this season. Latching onto Jack Hobson-McVeigh's pass, Bennett used his pace to get in behind the defence before firing a goal. His effort was thwarted by Matt Apperley, but the 'keeper was only able to parry and Bennett was on hand to steer in the rebound.

While the hosts had the next opportunity of the match when Steve Davies placed an effort over the bar, Bassett were clearly on top. And Collier would have been forgiven for feeling frustrated that his team were not further ahead in the early stages when Alan Griffin spurned a golden opportunity with a volley that was saved well.

Bassett were still well worth their lead as the interval approached, though they survived a scare on the stroke of half time when Matt MacDonald hit the upright with 'keeper Matt Crowther beaten.

The hosts - who had lost their most recent home league fixture against lowly Thornbury Town - were then quick out of the blocks following the restart.

But Bassett soon settled into a rhythm, preventing Westfields from posing too much of a threat with centre halves Adam Corcoran and Jon Beeden winning everything in the air.

And Basset came close to increasing their advantage, but Apperley kept Westfields in the match with outstanding saves to deny, first, Louis Spalding and, then, Bennett.

Apperley then went from hero to villain for Westfields as he brought down Bennett, earning the shotstopper a straight red card. However, fortunately for the hosts, backup 'keeper Ian Havard was on the bench to ensure they weren't left with an outfield player in goal for the final quarter of an hour.

By this point of the match, Westfields were getting desperate as they sought to ramp up the pressure on Bassett despite being a man short.

The best they could muster in the closing stages though were two shots that missed the target, the first a fierce Adam Newbury strike before substitute Joel Owusu failed to trouble Crowther with a left foot shot.

Bassett thus recorded their first ever win over Westfields - and it was a mightily impressive one given it came away from home.

It's an important three points for Collier and his team too. With Wantage Town losing on Friday night, eighth place Bassett now have a four point lead over Wantage in ninth. That could be extended further given Bassett hold multiple games in hand over the Alfredians, as well as Hereford Lads Club and Fairford Town - the two teams immediately below Wantage.

The result also lifts Bassett to within three points of Hereford Pegasus (who have played two games more) and within four points of sixth place Roman Glass St George (who have played a single game more).

In the fight for a top half finish, this was therefore a hugely valuable win - and one that keeps Bassett in the mix for a potential top six placing.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 15th January 2023 at 11:00