Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development made it three wins in a row as an excellent first half performance at home against Malmesbury Victoria Development set Mark Simpkins' side on their way to a convincing 4-1 victory.

Harry Walters set Bassett on their way with the opening goal nine minutes in.

Bassett added a second on 24 minutes when a long ball over the top was controlled first time by Nat Bell, who then coolly slotted the ball under the Malmesbury 'keeper Adam Clatworthy.

It was not to be Clatworthy's afternoon as an error saw him disposed in the six-yard box, presenting Bell with an open goal from which he was never going to miss, with the in-form Bassett man scoring his 13th of the season.

Another mistake by Clatworthy shortly after gifted the hosts another goal. This time it was Ben Spackman who was presented with an open goal after Clatworthy failed to hold a ball that was lobbed into the box.

The closest Malmesbury came to a goal in the opening half was a shot from distance from Joe Tranter which sailed over the bar.

It had been a dominating performance from Bassett in the opening half. But it was a different story after the break.

Despite the home side having the wind behind them, they stopped playing the flowing football that had given them that comfortable lead.

And Malmesbury reduced the deficit within five minutes of the restart, Jasper Marsh turning in a powerful low Joe Tranter shot that that turned into a cross.

Malmesbury went close to pulling back another 20 minutes from time, Matt Jones firing just over with a volley.

Bassett did create some chances of their own with Spencer Bowen going close after playing m a neat one-two with Kevin Lartey but his shot went just wide. Bell then almost completed his hat-trick after he too had been set up by Lartey.

There were to be no further goals though as it finished 4-1 to Bassett, who moved up to third in the Wiltshire League Premier Division table following the win.

Credit: Mark Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 22nd October 2023 at 08:18