The Lawns, 25 March 2023

Royal Wootton Bassett Town fell to a 3-1 loss away Hellenic League Premier Division title favourites Cribbs, with all four of the game's goals coming in an eventful first half.

Sam Collier's side had held Cribbs to a 1-1 draw when the teams met in Wiltshire in a tight, opportunity-limited game. However, the return fixture was a more open affair in which the hosts ensured they stayed on track to finish in top spot.

Cribbs led after just three minutes when an unmarked David Duru comfortably converted after Matthew Spiller's free kick was headed down to the forward.

But Bassett equalised on the quarter hour mark when Scott Chilcott fired home after the home side failed to clear.

Parity didn't last long though as good play between Duru and Aysa Corrick opened up space for the latter to coolly lift the ball over an advancing Matt Crowther and into the net.

Cribbs then grabbed a decisive third on the stroke of half time when Sonny Harnett-Balkwill headed home from Josh Bennett's right wing cross.

There was to be no further scoring in the second half, with Bassett having Crowther to thank for that. The 'keeper saved from the spot after Dave Bampton was adjudged to have brought down Duru in the box, the defender earning a straight red card, with Adam Corcoran sin binned for going too far with his protests that the offence occurred outside the box.

Despite the loss, Bassett remain seventh. However, they lost ground on both Roman Glass St George, who beat bottom side Bradford Town, and Westfields, who drew with Worcester Raiders, in the race for a top six placing.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 25th March 2023 at 19:08