In a vital midweek game at bottom side Malmesbury Victoria Development, Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development passed up a big opportunity to shore up their Wiltshire League Premier Division status as they fell to a disappointing 2-1 loss against the division's basement side.

When the sides had met back in October a late Flynn Walters goal had given Bassett the three points and they were looking to complete a league double to ease their relegation fears.

The game started on what was already a heavy Malmesbury pitch which had staged a first team game the previous night. And heavy rain after the break made the difficult conditions even worse for both sides.

It was Bassett who created the early chances, Dale Richards forcing a save from the Malmesbury keeper Rhys Simpkins as early as the second minute.

Richards should have put the visitors 1-0 up ten minutes in when presented with a golden chance from just six yards out but somehow, he managed to fire over the bar when it looked easier to score.

Three minutes later Richards set up Walters for another good chance but the visitors leading scorer saw his shot deflected for a corner.

It was not all one-way traffic though and at the other end a long throw into the box from Ciaran Lyon caused all kinds of problems in the visitors defence but it was eventually cleared in what was Malmesbury's best opportunity of the half.

Eight minutes before the break Walters once again went close for Bassett but his shot from distance went just wide of the post and the teams turned round at the break at 0-0 and all to play for.

Ten minutes into the second half Malmesbury were nearly gifted an opener by Bassett Dan West, his miskick going straight to Sam Parker but Parker's shot towards an empty net went just the wrong side of the post.

Malmesbury went close again a minute later, Rob Collier getting clean through on goal, but his powerfully hit strike went over the bar.

At the other end Walters went close to breaking the deadlock on 64 minutes when a ball over the top saw him through in on goal, but Simpkins saved with his feet.

A goal was coming though and five minutes later the deadlock was broken - and it was the home side who got themselves in front.

A free kick from Collier was lofted into the box and Parker rose above the Bassett defence to head into the far top corner of the net.

A minute later things went from bad to worse for the visitors when substitute Charlie Hancock fired in a second for Malmesbury.

To their credit Bassett kept trying to play their football, but on such a heavy pitch a more direct approach may have been more appropriate.

They had a golden chance to get a foothold back in the game 13 minutes from time when Walters was put through on goal, but he dragged his shot wide of the far post.

Five minutes from time they had another great opportunity when Toby Parker was put clean through in on goal, but he also fired wide.

In the final minute Walters again found himself clean through on goal but hit his shot over the bar.

Just as it looked as though they would draw a blank on the night, Bassett did finally find the back of the net deep into injury time, Walters with the goal when again he was put in on goal and this time made no mistake.

Yet it was all too little too late as Malmesbury saw out the closing seconds to secure their first three points of the season, having been deducted multiple points for failing to fulfil fixtures earlier in the campaign.

For Bassett, it was a disappointing result that could prove costly come the end of the season.

Credit: Mark Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 15th June 2025 at 16:12