A late penalty miss by Andy Huggins denied him his hat-trick and meant that Royal Wootton Bassett Town Over 50s ultimately had to settle for a 2-2 draw in their final Oxfordshire Premier League Division Two game of the season away against Easington Sports. Team mate Steve Fisher was denied even closer to the end by the underside of the crossbar in an entertaining and hard fought contest.

Easington were far more comfortable to start with on a grass surface where the bounce of the ball was unpredictable and much different to the astroturf pitches normally enjoyed by the Bassett players.

The home side tested Ceri Stephens in the away goal with a well struck shot that he fended away with his forearm in the opening minutes. The hosts came even closer to opening their account when a raking drive crashed off the post and away via the face of the diving Bassett 'keeper.

The Easington pressure continued and Stephens was called into action again when he reacted smartly to fingertip a powerful close range header onto the bar to deny the home side the lead.

Eventually the pressure paid off though when a through ball on the bumpy surface evaded Jason Parr at left back. An Easington forward collected before picking out the top right hand corner with a great finish for 1-0.

Bassett at last started to regain their composure on the ball and were rewarded for their improvement with two quick fire goals to surge into a 2-1 advantage.

First, Steve Fisher's brilliant pin-point cross picked out Huggins arriving at the far post to nod home. Then Huggins did it all himself , driving at the home defence before crashing the ball low past the 'keeper in a crowded penalty area.

Easington levelled just before the break. Stephens had just beaten away a fierce shot, but then Bassett's Roger Webb was caught in possession as the visitors tried to play out from the back. The ball was quickly transferred into the area where an Easington player shot through Stephens's legs, aided by a deflection from close range.

Manager Paul Gardner told his players that if they continued to get the ball down and play good football they would win and he was so nearly proved right.

Bassett were definitely the better side in the second half. Huggins was a constant menace and almost added to his tally when he blasted at goal from close in only for the home 'keeper to repel his effort magnificently. Indeed the home stopper made a couple of important saves to keep Bassett at bay.

Bassett then almost gifted Easington the lead mid-way through the second half. They were caught once more trying to play out. The loose ball was played to Easington's number ten free in the area. He shot for the corner but Stephens got down brilliantly at his near post to turn the ball aside for a corner and keep the score-line level.

After a second half water break, Bassett proceeded to dominate the closing twenty minutes. The Easington goal was under siege.

Chris Cooper danced past several defenders but then fluffed his lines to blaze high and wide of goal. Huggins had numerous snap shots as did others including Bryan Wood and Rob Mitchell but the winner would just not come.

Then Bassett were awarded a late penalty for a definite foul in the box. Huggins stepped up to try to complete his hat-trick but instead fired wide.

Bassett refused to be down-hearted and with just minutes remaining Fisher loped forward before powering a 25 yard effort which beat the 'keeper but thudded against the underside of the bar and stayed out.

The game therefore finished all square at 2-2.

Reflecting on the season as a whole 2022-23 has been by far the best of the three Bassett have enjoyed in the Oxfordshire Over 50s Premier League. The team scored a decent 33 league goals, their best ever total, and conceded 34, 15 less than in their first year from the same number of games. I

There's genuine belief that the Over 50s can improve again next year but, as they say, time will tell.

Bassett Man of the Match: I am delighted to say that for the first time this season it was yours truly, Ceri Stephens! Some good saves at crucial times ensured Bassett stayed in contention and gave the team the opportunity to win the game late on. Other notable performances came from two-goal man Andy Huggins who would surely have got the MOTM award had he completed his hat-trick and a win from the penalty spot. Defender Roger Webb was also excellent as part of the back three.

Credit: Ceri Stephens
Last modified on Monday 15th May 2023 at 20:22