Oaklands Park, 1 April 2023

Royal Wootton Bassett Town now have their sights set on a fifth place Hellenic League Premier Division finish after a convincing 3-1 win away at Roman Glass St George in a potentially pivotal fixture.

Going into the game in seventh place, Bassett knew they had to win were they to stand a chance of overhauling their opponents who started (and finished) the afternoon in fifth place.

But Sam Collier's side delivered the goods - and in style, producing one of their best performances this season and sealing a double over Roman Glass in the process.

And it was a familiar face making a cameo appearance who proved the difference. With his usual side Binfield out of action due to postponement, Brad Pagliaroli did Bassett a favour to keep his legs fresh, and duly scored two first half goals to set his team on their way to an impressive, resounding victory.

Bassett were quick out of the blocks with the front three of Pagliaroli, Alfie Presley and Bailey Gallagher chipping away at the home defence from the opening whistle.

It was therefore little surprise when Bassett went ahead. Presley played in Pagliaroli, who - in his trademark style - cut inside and bent a fine strike into the corner of the net from just outside the area.

Quarter of an hour later it was 2-0. Matt Jones picked out Pagliaroli with a sublime half volley pass, and the forward repeated his earlier trick, cutting inside from the right before arrowing into the bottom corner with the aid of a slight deflection.

Bassett then had chances to extend their lead before the break, Presley failing to score after a surging run past three defenders and Gallagher going close after turning former teammate Landon Golding inside out.

The visitors were nonetheless in a commanding position when the interval arrived with Roman Glass not even able to muster a shot on target in the opening period.

The hosts made four changes at half time as they desperately sought to turn things around, and they did have Bassett - who were somewhat slow out of the blocks - under pressure early on. However, despite enjoying most of the early second half possession, that did not translate into any clear cut chances for the Bristolians.

And Bassett were able to then catch Roman Glass on the break, a counter attack ending with the relentless Gallagher being felled in the box. Matt Jones stepped up to take the penalty and he emphatically smashed home from the spot to put the visitors in an unassailable position.

Roman Glass did grab a goal late on, when Liam Gilchrist produced a tidy finish following a neat one-two. That was a mere consolation though, with his side well beaten.

With Westfields inactive, Collier and his team now sit sixth. With three games to go - all against sides lower down the table - Bassett are just two points behind Roman Glass, whose final series of games includes tough away trips against Worcester Raiders and Corsham Town.

Bassett are guaranteed their highest ever league finish and have more than exceeded their record Hellenic Premier points.

If they can grab fifth place (and also reach the Bluefin Sports Challenge Cup final), that would represent a phenomenal achievement in an already outstanding campaign.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 1st April 2023 at 20:37