Smarting after their 5-1 loss away at Corsham Town, Royal Wootton Bassett Town delivered the perfect response as Sam Collier's side recorded a thumping derby victory of their own by the same score at home against Malmesbury Victoria.

The result will hopefully serve as the kickstart that Bassett needed after a frustrating first month of the season.

After the August they had endured, this was a perfect start to September. And Bassett boss Collier will in particular be pleased about how ruthless his team were in forward areas with man of the match Finn Hopkins, two goal Alfie Presley, Brad Pagliaroli and Bailey Gallagher all finding their stride.

Hopkins opened the scoring early on, reacting quickest to coolly steer in from eight yards out after Pagliaroli had drove to the byline and cut the ball back.

While Malmesbury did get back on terms through Tom Wynn-Davis, Bassett then restored their deserved advantage before the break.

Gallagher served as the creator, with his cross from the right side taking a deflection and dropping into the path of Presley, who took two touches before firing in on the turn.

In his previous two appearances this season, Pagliaroli had already supplied two goals. And he kept up his goal-a-game ratio on the hour mark with a composed finish to make it 3-1.

Hopkins then joined him in scoring and providing an assist, splitting the Malmesbury defence with a through ball for Presley, who arrowed a first time dart into the bottom corner to put the outcome fully beyond doubt.

Four then became five late on. Gallagher drove inside from the right, swerving between and outmuscling two defenders before cutting back for Tom Moore to provide a crisp close range finish to cap off a fine evening's work.

A dominant performance led to a dominant win.

Here's hoping it serves as the start of a prolonged streak of good form.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Wednesday 4th September 2024 at 06:59