Two late goals helped condemn Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development to a second loss this season against Wroughton as Mark Simpkins' side were beaten 3-0.

Bassett were beaten last week at Shrewton United and were thus looking to return to winning ways. A win would also have seen Bassett move into the top three but Wroughton had got the better of their opponents earlier in the season at the Weir Field and were looking to complete a league double.

In an entertaining first half which saw both sides play some excellent passing football without creating too many clear-cut chances due to two well organised defences, it was no surprise that the breakthrough came from a set piece.

In the 33rd minute Wroughton midfield player Jonny Davoille was going away from goal when a rash challenge from Zac Pettifer saw Davoille upended in the box and referee Steven Brenchley had no hesitation in pointing to the spot for a blatant penalty. Captain Aaron Maximen took the spot kick, coolly chipping the ball into the net past the keeper for 1-0 to the visitors.

Bassett responded to the set back and went close to equalising almost immediately when Nick Mason forced Ed Salisbury into a save but it remained 1-0 at the break.

The home side came out for the second half determined to get back into the game and went close within two minutes of the restart, the lively Nat Bell forcing Salisbury into a stunning tip over the bar from a shot from the edge of the box.

While Bassett continued to push for an equaliser, they never really opened up a disciplined and well organised Wroughton back line. On 78 minutes Mason had a header that went just over the bar but that was the closest they got to getting back in terms.

The game was put beyond them two minutes from time, an exquisite chip from Luke Saunders from the edge of the box making it 2-0 to Wroughton.

There was still time for one more goal and again it went the way of Saunders. A defence splitting pass from Maximen put Saunders clear of the defence and he fired in for 3-0.

Wroughton deserved the win for being more clinical in front of goal and for a well organised defence that frustrated the home side all afternoon, but the final score had something of a flattering look to it as it was a tight affair right until that second goal two minutes from time.

Credit: Mark Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 19th November 2023 at 20:33