A clinical attacking display saw Royal Wootton Bassett Town continue their impressive Hellenic League Premier Division run with a thumping 4-0 home victory against Tuffley Rovers.

For the second consecutive league fixture, Bassett recorded a decisive win against a side in playoff contention. A fortnight ago, Bassett convincingly beat Westfields. This time Sam Collier's side put Tuffley - who had edged a 1-0 triumph when the sides met in Gloucestershire - to the sword.

The victory was big in more ways than one two as it put Collier and his team back into the playoff places - their four goal winning margin being enough to take Bassett narrowly ahead of Mangotsfield United on goal difference with the teams due to meet on Tuesday.

The key moment of the match came five minutes before the interval when Rovers' Tawana Changa earned a straight red card for a two-footed lunge on Bailey Gallagher.

The resulting free kick led to the opening goal, and after that Bassett were on their way.

Prior to that the game had been one that quickly sprung into life midway through the first half after a somewhat tense opening.

Soon enough though both 'keepers were being brought into action with Bassett's James Foster doing well to tip a low Kieran Alder effort around the post. A stunning Gallagher goalline block then denied Alder after he had rounded Foster with Connor Walters squandering the rebound as he blasted over to keep the game goalless.

Bassett had their chances too, but were unable to find a way past Hoffland - until they held a numerical advantage.

Jack Hobson-McVeigh played the free kick following the tackle on Gallagher short to Brad Pagliaroli on the left side. And Pagliaroli danced his way into the box past two defenders before producing a low, crisp shot with his weaker right effort that flew into the net.

Four minutes after the restart a flowing move ended with Tommy Ouldridge squaring inside to Alfie Presley whose sweeping first time effort from the edge of the area went in off the left post.

It was soon 3-0. Pagliaroli teased a free kick from just outside the box towards the bottom right corner which Hoffland did well to get across to and keep out. However, reacting instinctively, Presley was on hand to put away the rebound from close range.

Chris Zebroski then finished the scoring, blasting in from 18 yards after good build up play involving Finn Hopkins and Presley.

Bassett's fine form thus continues apace. December is set to pose a number of challenges. But with the way his team are playing, Collier will be confident his team can keep on flying.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 1st December 2024 at 12:16