Royal Wootton Bassett Town Over 50s continued their league campaign with a second successive 4-0 win. Goals from top scorer Rob Mitchell (x2), Edward Stephenson and Roger Webb, backed up by a solid all round team performance saw them come out on top in a feisty encounter with Hazelmere Sports Olympic.

From the opening whistle, Bassett worked hard to close down their opponents, the courageous Cooper and unflappable Fish looking to force a mistake. Hazelmere weren't to be intimidated and showed some nice touches to keep hold of the ball.

After a period of sustained pressure, with Wood showing his class and experience at right back, it was a diagonal pass from midfield general Watson that unlocked the Hazelmere defence. With an effortless shimmy, Bassett's flying winger Mitchell took the ball in his stride before unleashing a shot across the keeper that hit the far post and rebounded in.

At 1-0, the vocal Parr did his best to keep everyone focused. His words of encouragement weren't wasted as Bassett pushed for a second. Hazelmere were fighting to stay in the game and when their keeper stumbled saving a Jack bullet header following a corner, Bassett's Scottish enforcer, Stephenson, showed what he's capable of with a sublime chip over the flailing opposition into the back of the net.

At 2-0 Hazelmere were well and truly rattled. Substitutions were made in the hope of getting a goal back before halftime. Bassett's back line led by the rock solid Jack and impressive debutant Partridge stood firm though. When called upon, the ever alert Boys-Stones saved with typical coolness.

Tempers started to flare, but the hard running Lynch and warrior like Watson didn't let up and Bassett went into the break as deserved leaders.

With the words of manager Gardner in their ears, Bassett continued to show their composure at the start of the second half. The same couldn't be said for some of Hazelmere's players, with one of them deservedly ending up in the book for a combination of bad fouls and even worse language.

The heat was turned up further on Bassett's bristly foe when the brave-hearted Cooper fed Mitchell, who after a strong run, conjured a near post finish that caught Hazelmere's keeper flat-footed.

At 3-0, Bassett freshened things up with some substitutions - Purcell, Rouse, Campbell and Webb coming on. The atmosphere remained lively with Hazelmere continuing to fight for every ball.

Their hearts were then broken when the increasingly influential Cooper collected Watson's smart pass and ran through on goal, shooting hard. The Hazelmere number one could only parry the midfielder's strike and, to his disappointment, the recently introduced Webb arrived at pace to smash the ball home.

With the game all but over at 4-0, it was pleasing to see player manager Gardner make his first appearance of the season. Looking typically composed at right back, he also showed another side to his game with a cynical but perhaps necessary foul, earning him a yellow card - the first of the season for Bassett.

Moments later, the whistle blew for full time. Although perhaps not a vintage display from Bassett, it was a ruthless one. Four good goals were backed up by some tenacious and spirited play.

The victory sees them move up to second in the table behind leaders Bicester Town Colts, who they meet next week in a hotly anticipated top of the table clash.

RWBTFC Over 50s Man of the Match: Rob "The Magician" Mitchell for his two goals and an all round display that was full of running and creativity.

Credit: Roger Webb
Last modified on Monday 10th October 2022 at 12:37