Royal Wootton Bassett Town Over 50s let a 3-1 lead slip in the final twenty minutes to lose 4-3 in their latest league fixture against Easington Sports. It was a game they should have put to bed in the first half when they created enough chances to have put the game out of reach of their visitors. However, that they were unable to do - and the disappointing loss leaves Bassett in third place in the league after five games played.

The home side dominated possession and territory in the first half but only managed a slender 2-1 advantage at the break.

They opened the scoring when Marc Cresswell cut in from the left. His first shot was blocked but his follow up was diverted into his own goal by an Easington defender.

The visitors hit back when an Easington forward with his back to goal turned the ball round the corner to pick out a team-mate who ran in before beating Stephens with his shot.

Bassett regained the lead courtesy of a defensive mistake and a cool finish. An Easington centre-back was harried into coughing up possession by Andy Huggins and the Bassett striker strode into the box before cleverly lifting the ball over the advancing 'keeper.

The hosts had plenty of chances to extend their first-half advantage but could not take them. Steve Partridge came closest when his effort came back off the base of the post.

Bassett rang the changes in the second half with all five subs seeing action as they tried to freshen things up to seal the win. However their performance became disjointed. And, despite three of the subs - Stephenson, Cooper and Rouse - all having efforts just off target and Huggins seeing an on-target effort tipped over, it was the visitors who carried the greater threat after the break.

They put pressure on the Bassett back line with a succession of free-kicks and corners and from one of these corners they almost levelled when an Easington man outjumped the Bassett defence to head towards goal only for Bassett to scramble the ball off the line with Easington players convinced it was a goal.

Bassett took full advantage of the let off to go straight up the other end and make it 3-1 as Cresswell latched onto a good pass and finished low from inside the area.

Easington were not deterred by this set back and continued to pour forward on both flanks as Bassett struggled to keep hold of possession in the final twenty minutes.

The visitors had another effort cleared off the line and Bassett defender Paul Jack almost headed into his own net but Stephens was able to tip his misjudged back header over the bar to spare his blushes.

The warning signs were there for Bassett and they conceded a second when an Easington forward got in on the right and crashed a shot over Stephens at the near post.

They got on level terms soon after when a cross evaded all in Basset yellow and the Easington number 15 gleefully volleyed home from inside the area.

The comeback win was completed when the Easington number eight broke into the box on the left. His shot was saved but Bassett could not clear the loose ball and the Easington number 15 was on hand to drill the ball into the net for the 4-3 win.

No hiding from the fact that this was an extremely disappointing loss for Bassett. Next up, the team travel to second place Chinnor on 4th December and will need to be better if they are to take anything from that game.

Man of the Match: Marc Cresswell - a positive forward display particularly in the first. Directly involved in forcing the own goal and took his chance in the second half well to put Bassett 3-1 up. He is proving to be a real asset in attack this season.

Credit: Ceri Stephens
Last modified on Monday 28th November 2022 at 12:56