Bicester Town Colts Over 50s kept up their 100% winning start to the season and stayed top with a routine 4-0 home win over a below par Royal Wootton Bassett Town team at the Bicester Sports Association ground.
The hosts had the perfect start when in the opening minutes Bassett defender Paul Jack under hit a back pass, and a Bicester forward won the foot race to fire the ball in off the grounded 'keeper.
The Colts were the better team throughout the opening half. They were more determined in the tackle and more creative in attack than a rather lacklustre Bassett side.
The visitors were finding it hard to provide good quality service to lone front man Steve Lynch who was well marshalled by a strong Bicester backline. And any sporadic Bassett forward forays were too often halted by either the referee or linesman, who made decisions that regularly blunted any Bassett threat.
Bicester, on the other hand, had more success, with their main aim being to get the ball in behind the Bassett defence. This approach paid off when the Bicester number seven got to the byline on Bassett's right and squared the ball to the unmarked number ten to net from close range.
The pattern of the game barely changed at 2-0. Bicester continued to look more threatening but were not hitting the target with their goal attempts. Bassett were still unable to seriously trouble the Bicester goal at the other end.
Bicester added a third goal in emphatic fashion. The Bicester number 10 battled for possession on the edge of the area before unleashing an unstoppable half volley that flew above Stephens and on into the Bassett net.
Paul Gardner in the Bassett hot seat changed formation at half time from 4-5-1 to 3-5-2, with Eddie Stephenson dropping back to assist Paul Jack and Bryan Watson in defence, and Steve Lynch moving into midfield. A front pairing of substitute Marc Cresswell and Chris Cooper spearheaded the away side as the second half got underway.
Bassett competed better in the second period. The defence restricted Bicester to fewer chances and in attack they finally caused a few concerns for the league leaders. The home 'keeper mishandled a few shots and crosses and Mike Rouse was close to profiting from one such moment before the ball was scrambled clear.
The referee did Bassett no favours when he turned down strong penalty appeals at 3-0.
A different decision may have given the away side a way back into the match, but any hope was eventually extinguished by a fourth Bicester strike. They pierced the Bassett right flank once more and a Bicester wide man beat Stephens at his near post to make it four.
The visitors fought hard for a consolation goal with Steve Partridge driving their attacks from midfield with good passing and link up play.
Bassett's best chance fell to late substitute Ted Keep who was unable to get sufficient power on his close-range effort to beat the home stopper. Steve Fisher then tried his luck with a very long-range free kick which almost embarrassed the Bicester number one before hitting the side netting, while Cresswell forced a save from the home goalkeeper.
The contest finished 4-0. It is not a game that will live long in the memory from a Bassett perspective. There is now a mini break in competitive action until 6th November when we face another away day at Exiles in North Leigh.
At least the second half performance was more encouraging and provided hope that better days will come again.
Bassett Man of the Match: Steve Partridge - Worked hard all game, used the ball well and contributed to Bassett's improved attacking display after the break.
Credit: Ceri Stephens
Last modified on Monday 17th October 2022 at 12:18
