Royal Wootton Bassett Town Under 18s recorded an impressive 3-1 home win against Radstock Town in their latest Wiltshire League Floodlit Division fixture.

On a bitterly cold evening, Bassett started brightly, and Rhys Westlake had an early golden chance but saw his effort from close range go wide of the far post.

The home side were to go in front though when a cross from the right by Finlay Skittrall was spilled by the Radstock keeper allowing Jamie Wright to pounce and put the ball away for 1-0.

Bassett doubled their lead when a clearance out of defence found Joe Beavis, who, despite the presence of three defenders, controlled the ball, checked left and then fired into the net for a well taken goal.

Westlake then had another chance to increase his side's lead when put through with just the keeper to beat but an excellent save with his feet by the Radstock keeper stopped the visitors going further behind.

Westlake was again denied with a header from a corner as Bassett continued to assert control on proceedings. But although he got power on the header, it was straight at the keeper and easily dealt with.

The visitors didn't really create any clear-cut chances in the first half, with the Bassett defence limiting them to shots from distance which rarely troubled them.

Radstock upped their game at the start of the second half and started to look like they might get themselves into the match.

After a couple of half chances they were only denied an opener by an acrobatic save by Tom Davis and it remained 2-0.

Radstock continued to press and somehow the home defence survived a couple of goalmouth scrambles without conceding.

After coming under some pressure, Bassett gave themselves more breathing space when a ball from Westlake saw Junior Zumaro produce a great turn on the edge of the box and fire in for 3-0.

Credit must go to Radstock who, despite this latest setback, continued to try and get something out of the game. And they were eventually rewarded when a cross from the right was cleared straight into the path of Harry Grimsey and, while Davis was able to get a hand on his shot, the keeper was unable to prevent it going into the net off the far post.

Buoyed by the goal Radstock continued to push for a second but the home side held out to take all three points and move joint second in the table, level on points with Bristol Manor Farm and two points adrift of leaders Kintbury Rangers, although Bassett have played more games than the other two sides.

Credit: Mark Smedley
Last modified on Tuesday 23rd January 2024 at 17:28