Royal Wootton Bassett Town Under 18s had the chance to move back top of the table above Radstock Town but knew they would have to win away at Melksham Town to do so. The two sides served up a thoroughly entertaining high-quality encounter on the outside pitch at the Oakfield Stadium, and Bassett ultimately emerged 2-1 winners.
It was the visitors who created the better chances in the first half. Euan Spackman went close to putting his side ahead on 23 minutes, seeing his powerful shot superbly turned away by Melksham 'keeper Zak Beard. Minutes later, Charlie Stammers saw his cross just go over the bar as the visitors went in search of the opener.
However, with half an hour gone an accidental collision between Bassett 'keeper Jack Rae and defender Alan de Paula, after the defender was pushed from behind, saw the 'keeper lie motionless for a lengthy period with a head injury. Eventually he was able to get up and leave the pitch but was unable to take any further part in the game and the visitors were forced to introduce substitute 'keeper Finlay Cranswick-Coates.
With the half ending Melksham started to put the visitors under pressure and were rewarded a couple of minutes before half time. A long ball out of defence from 'keeper Beard was allowed to bounce on the edge of the 18-yard box, with the ball falling to Tom Dowell whose initial shot was well saved with his feet by Cranswick-Coates, but the ball luckily rebounded back to Dowell who was presented with an easy tap-in for 1-0 to Melksham.
However, Bassett were back on level terms within a minute of the restart, de Paula getting on the end of a Joey Warren free-kick into the box for 1-1.
Both sides continued to play some good passing football, but it remained all square until ten minutes from time mainly due to the efforts of the two 'keepers Beard and Cranswick-Coates.
What turned out to be the winning goal came when Charlie Stammers finished off a flowing move, Stammers being found with an excellent defence splitting ball from Flynn Walters, and he finished in style for 2-1.
The visitors continued to press forward to make certain of the points. Leading scoring Jacob Rendell-Haines was presented with a couple of excellent chances to extend the lead but on both occasions, he was denied by Beard. The first came when he was put through by Noah Cranswick-Coates but Beard pulled off a great save to deny the striker. The second was set up by Harry Bunce but this time Beard denied Rendell-Haines by saving with his feet.
Then, right at the death, Bassett's Harvey Watkinson had a gilt-edged chance to get on the end of a cross but his connection with the ball went just wide of the post as it finished 2-1 to the visitors.
As well as now being top, the additional good news is that the injured 'keeper Rae, after being closely watched overnight, is on the mend but will be unable to take his place for the Development side this weekend.
Credit: Mark Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 1st October 2022 at 20:37
