Royal Wootton Bassett Town Over 50s fell to a 3-1 defeat away to Hazlemere Sports Olympic at the Cressex Sports Centre Ground in High Wycombe.

After a poor first half showing Bassett were two goals down. A much improved second half display saw the visitors get back into the game courtesy of striker Marc Cresswell only for the hosts to wrap up the three points with a late third goal.

Bassett actually played well in the opening minutes and created a few chances. The best of these fell to Cresswell. He darted into the box on the left and his cross shot was excellently saved low down.

Although they were playing well in attack, Bassett were taking unnecessary risks playing out from the back. They had almost been caught out several times before they finally conceded.

The ball was carelessly given away on the edge of the area and the Hazlemere forward took full advantage to stride into the box and lift the ball over 'keeper Ceri Stephens as he came out to meet him.

Bassett were unsettled by the first goal and the hosts dominated the rest of the half pinning Bassett back for long periods. Bassett had to work hard to repel the onslaught with 'keeper and defenders making vital contributions to keep the score at 1-nil. Hazlemere almost doubled their lead when one of their strikers smashed a close range effort on goal only for Stephens to react superbly to thrust up a right hand to turn the powerful effort over the bar.

Unfortunately Bassett were undone before half time when a corner from the left evaded all in Bassett yellow to enable a Hazlemere player to steal in at the far post and fire confidently home to extend the lead to 2-0.

Bassett tried to find a way back into the game before the break and midfield man Bryan Watson had a rasping long range effort well turned over by the home stopper.

Manager Paul Gardner changed formation at half-time from 4-5-1 to 3-5-2 and brought on Andy Huggins up front and Roger Webb in midfield to replace defender Jason Parr and midfield man Bryan Watson.

Bassett were hugely improved after the break as they dominated proceedings. They had a dozen or more goal attempts but were denied by two good saves to deny Huggins and Webb respectively, and bad luck when Chris Cooper's miss-hit cross looped over the 'keeper only to hit the far post and come back out into play.

They did get back into the game eventually. Paul Jack carried the ball forward impressively before feeding Cooper who slid Cresswell in on goal. The Bassett marksmen stretched out his right foot to guide the ball expertly in low off the left hand post to make it 2-1.

Bassett continued to bombard the home goal but just could not find the equaliser. For their part, the hosts were denied by a vital clearing header from Basset defender Paul Jack.

Eventually it was Hazlemere, largely against the run of play, who sealed victory with goal number three. A home attacker got free on the right hand side of the area and slammed the ball high past Stephens at the near post to condemn Bassett to defeat.

Bassett refused to give up and subs Kenny Campbell with two efforts, Mike Rouse who hit the post,and super vet Ted Keep with non stop running tried to rescue a lost cause.

It was not to be though and at the final whistle it was Hazlemere who took the spoils leaving Bassett hugely frustrated.

Bassett Man of the Match: Paul Jack - Excellent in defence, he also distributed well and made some great attacking forays. Jack started the move for Basset's goal with a surging 30 yard run.

Credit: Ceri Stephens
Last modified on Monday 6th February 2023 at 19:20