Glevum Park, 28 March 2023

Royal Wootton Bassett Town quickly put Saturday's loss at Hellenic League Premier Division title favourites Cribbs behind them, triumphing 3-1 away at Tuffley Rovers.

And it was defender Louis Spalding who played a pivotal role on the night as he scored twice to move within a single goal of registering double figures in a highly impressive campaign at both ends of the pitch.

While the hosts created the game's earliest chances, it was Bassett who found themselves in control at half time thanks to Spalding's first and a first goal since mid-January for Matt Bennett.

A lively start to the game for Tuffley saw Yesh Lomotey shoot narrowly wide from the edge of the box before Dan Lander's header was cleared off the line.

But Bassett soon settled with Bailey Gallagher failing to find the target from a promising position and Alfie Presley forcing home 'keeper Luke Marchant into a safe with his feet.

Eventually, by the 15th minute, Bassett were ahead when Spalding cut inside at the far post before firing past Marchant.

While Warren Mann - making his 500th Tuffley appearance - forced Matt Crowther into action a few minutes later, the goal turned momentum in Bassett's favour.

Tuffley were now on the ropes and, after Presley forced a corner, Bennett flicked in a near post header to double Bassett lead ten minutes before half time.

It was then 3-0 shortly after the restart as Spalding grabbed his second of the game with a deflected strike.

That seemed to be game over. But, desperate to avoid relegation, Tuffley started to kick into gear. A low Mark Pritchett free kick forced Crowther into another save, before a corner saw a trio of efforts blocked thanks to some last ditch defending.

The hosts then finally pulled one back when a short corner routine caught Bassett out and Pritchett headed in.

However that was to be all Rovers could muster. Ryan Dobbins had their best chance to truly make a game of it but failed to locate the target after a powerful run.

Instead, the hosts had 'keeper Marchant to thank that they didn't concede a fourth as he tipped over from substitute Sonny James

volley in the last minute of normal time.

The result moves Bassett within two points of sixth place Westfields with a game in hand still to play.

Secure a positive result in Saturday's challenging fixture away at Roman Glass St George, and that position will very much still be in play for Sam Collier's side as the season nears its conclusion.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Tuesday 28th March 2023 at 21:54