Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development suffered an agonising 1-0 defeat against Blunsdon in a hastily arranged fixture that saw Mark Simpkins' side miss two penalties and also hit the woodwork on two occasions.

Blunsdon were initially scheduled to entertain Odd Down (Bath) Development and Bassett were set to visit Trowbridge Town. When Trowbridge called the latter game off due to a waterlogged pitch and then Odd Down advised Blunsdon they were unable to raise a side, with Blunsdon and Bassett not having played each other at Sutton Park, attempts were made to bring their game forward from March.

Due to some great collaboration involving the league officers, the two club secretaries and the two team managers the game was hastily arranged and was one of the two Wiltshire League Premier Division fixtures to get played at the weekend.

It was to be a tight affair involving three penalties, only one of which was scored, and some outstanding saves from Blunsdon keeper Harrison Ellis to ensure his side took all three points.

It was an even first half hour, but just after visitors Bassett had lost leading scorer Nat Bell to an injury, Blunsdon went in front. The goal came from the penalty spot after visiting keeper Dan West had brought down Nick Craft in the box. Jamie Pidgeon put the spot kick away for his fourth goal of the season.

Bassett upped their game and dominated matters for much of the remainder of the match but wasted a couple of golden chances to get back in the game. First George Lance missed a penalty and then, ten minutes from time, Flynn Walters saw another penalty saved by Blunsdon keeper Ellis who was having an outstanding game for the home side.

As well as the two missed penalties the visitors hit the frame of the goal twice and, when they did get their shots on target, they were denied on several occasions by Ellis who ensured his side took all three points.

The win for Blunsdon saw them move above Wroughton into ninth place in the table.

Credit: Mark Smedley
Last modified on Wednesday 31st January 2024 at 08:09