So far in the early stages of the 2024-25 season it's been the case of home, not so sweet home for Royal Wootton Bassett Town.

Their latest fixture - the fifth of six straight home league and cup games to begin the campaign - saw Bassett slip to another defeat, this time against early Hellenic League Premier Division pacesetters Roman Glass St George, who edged to a 2-1 victory.

The result means that Bassett have now lost three home league games in the space of just four matches. Last season Bassett were beaten on their own patch just five times in the league (six if you include the playoff final defeat to Cinderford Town).

It's not that Bassett were well beaten. The performance was there, with plenty of positives to take especially in light of the continued absence of a number of key players - Adam Corcoran, Chris Taylor, Louis Spalding and Jack Hobson-McVeigh - sidelined through injury.

However, while seeming to deserve to take something from the game, Bassett ended the evening empty-handed.

Roman Glass led early as Conor Hartley netted an all too simple 18th minute opener after seizing on a gift from 'keeper James Foster.

The visitors were slightly unfortunate not to have already been ahead too as Laurent Davis-Wilson had already fired into the side netting.

Their second arrived later, on the hour mark, as Neikell Plummer emphatically fired home after latching onto a Lewis Leigh-Gilchrist header.

Bassett did muster a quick response as Brad Pagliaroli - signed at late notice to provide cover given the ongoing injury crisis - produced a trademark rocket finish into the top right corner from 25 yards.

An equaliser was not forthcoming though.

Bassett now finish their home stretch with something of a free hit as they aim to pull off a cup upset against Didcot Town. Three straight away league games then follow in which Collier and his team will seek to kickstart their league campaign.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Tuesday 13th August 2024 at 22:19