Royal Wootton Bassett Town Over 50s ended the purgatory of their seven- match winless run to beat bottom of the league Exiles 3-0 at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground.
The three goals scored and three points gained meant that Bassett had finally won their first game since 6th November 2022, a 4-0 victory in the reverse fixture against the hapless Exiles. In truth had their shooting been more accurate they could easily have matched Liverpool's seven goal matchday haul, but as they say a win's a win!
Bassett were not at their early season best but still dominated this encounter. They created chances aplenty throughout but their final decision-making and finishing were often sub-standard. Aside from the goals, visiting 'keeper Brown was rarely required to save a decent shot on target. However, the sheer domination of the possession by the home side made the outcome almost inevitable.
Steve Howse opened the scoring for Bassett. He weaved his way into the box and slid the ball under Brown for 1-0 mid-way through the first half.
Marc Cresswell went close on a couple of occasions in the opening period but the best chance of the opening 45 minutes fell to Roger Webb who blazed wide when he really should have scored from a great position in the area.
The Exiles had one genuine chance to equalise before Webb's miss. A long straight free kick went over Bassett's high defensive line, and although 'keeper Stephens just reached the bouncing ball first outside his box, he could only chest it into the path of an exiles' attacker. The Exiles' man had the goal at his mercy but could only shoot tamely on target, allowing Roger Webb covering on the line to clear comfortably.
Manager Eddie Stephenson called for better quality from his troops in the half-time team talk.
Bassett didn't improve greatly after the break but were able to extend their lead soon after the restart when sharp work from Cresswell enabled him to harass an Exiles defender, steal the ball, and fire low past Brown to put Bassett 2-0 up.
The home side continued to defend in accomplished fashion when required with Steve Fisher calmness personified at the back and Bryan Watson dominant in the air, ably assisted by the dogged Bob Ellis who was forced off by injury near the end.
At the other end Andy Huggins winded Brown with a fierce close-range strike that the keeper took full in the midriff but held onto, to his credit.
Steve Partridge missed a glorious chance by stabbing over from five yards out following a corner and it seemed a third goal may evade Bassett this time out.
Jason Parr finally put a bit of gloss on the scoreline when he tapped in from three yards out after Huggins had got in on the Exiles' left flank and unselfishly squared the ball to him for a chance that Parr couldn't miss in my opinion!!!!
This was a win for Bassett, but it was one which left you wanting more as the home side didn't play as well as they know they can against very limited opponents who only had 11 players to call upon and played the last 15 minutes with only ten due to injury.
On a positive note, it was a long overdue three points and the team still have four league games and a prestige friendly against Welsh FA Over 60s in Cardiff to find their true form and round the season off with a flourish hopefully.
Man of the Match: It was a close decision between defenders Steve Fisher and Bryan Watson who were excellent throughout and hardly gave Exiles a sniff of a chance all afternoon. The nod goes to Steve Fisher returning from a head injury. Fisher gave an accomplished centre back performance. He always seemed to have time on the ball in possession to set Bassett going forward and calmly snuffed out any danger from the Exiles' attack.
Credit: Ceri Stephens
Last modified on Monday 6th March 2023 at 17:53
