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Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development earned an impressive - and potentially important - 2-0 derby victory against Shrivenham in the Wiltshire League Premier Division.
Making the result even more impressive for Mark Simpkins' side, Shrivenham had started the day in second place in the table.
The first half saw the two teams completely cancel each other out with not a single real chance on goal being created by either side.
The game finally came to life in the very first minute of the second half, Shrivenham's James Hirst firing just wide of the goal.
Two minutes later it was the turn of the home side to go close. Flynn Walters put George Staten through in on goal, but the Shrivenham keeper Liam Keville did well to prevent his side from going behind.
Bassett continued to have the better of things and went close again when Finlay Skittrall got on the end of a Walters cross from the right but again Keville did well to turn the ball away.
Skittrall then went within a whisker of giving Bassett the lead, a shot from the left-hand side of the box coming back off the far post. The rebound fell nicely to Jonny Aitkenhead, but his first touch let him down and the danger averted after the Shrivenham defence were able to recover.
At the other end Hirst had a half chance for Shrivenham but he fired over, and it remained 0-0.
A goal was coming though, and when it did arrive it went the way of the home side ten minutes from time.
Awarded a free kick midway inside the Shrivenham half, George Lance delivered a dangerous ball into the box that was flicked into the back of the net by Mani Mesas.
Shrivenham sought to get themselves back into the game but struggled to break down a resolute home defence.
In the end it was to be Bassett who added a second to improve their chances of survival. Once again it came from a free kick. This time the award was just outside the box. Leading scorer Walters took responsibility, and his well struck effort was pushed onto the bar by Shrivenham 'keeper Keville. The ball rebounded to substitute Matthew Capel who headed into an empty net for 2-0.
There was one more excellent opportunity for Capel late on but that was to be the end of the afternoon's scoring as it finished 2-0.
The win saw Bassett earn three vital points in their quest to avoid the drop. It came in what the management team described as their best performance of the season.
And that will serve as a confidence just a couple of days before their big Wiltshire County FA Senior Cup semi final game against Wroughton on Tuesday night (with the game to be played at Swindon Supermarine).
Credit: Mark Smedley
Last modified on Monday 10th March 2025 at 08:24
