Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development got back to winning ways in the Wiltshire League Premier Division with a 3-2 win against Salisbury Development.

It was to be an eventful afternoon for Bassett leading scorer Nat Bell in the game as he scored twice before being sent off.

The young Salisbury Development side clearly liked the 3G surface at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground as they led on two occasions in the first half only to be pegged back on both occasions, Bell getting the first equaliser and Matt Capel the second which sent the two sides into the break all square. Dyllan Roocroft with his seventh of the season and Harry Mealing scored the two Salisbury goals.

Bassett went into the lead for the first time in the game early in the second half, Bell notching his second of the game and his 16th of the season.

Bassett then had the better of things after that but Salisbury, who played some nice football from the back, always looked dangerous when in possession on the break. However they found a stubborn home defence difficult to get behind and didn't really create any chances in the second half.

The home side's Bell saw his game turn sour when he was harshly booked for a 50:50 headed challenge which would have meant he would be suspended for his side's next game for an accumulation of bookings.

Clearly frustrated by the decision, moments later he kicked the ball away when a free kick was given against him and duly picked up a second yellow card to re-affirm his absence from Bassett's game next week against Kintbury Rangers.

Despite playing with ten men, Bassett saw out the closing moments without looking like they would concede the lead to pick up their tenth victory of the season and move within three points of third placed Pewsey Vale but having played five more games than the side above them in the table.

Credit: Mark Smedley
Last modified on Thursday 4th January 2024 at 21:36