Two highly avoidable defensive mistakes condemned Royal Wootton Bassett Town to a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Thornbury Town in the final home Hellenic League Premier Division game of the season for Sam Collier's side.

While Bassett had the vast majority of clear cut chances throughout the match, it was lower mid-table Thornbury who came out on top after right winger Cam Drew was gifted a first half brace that put his side in clear control.

Bassett pulled one back midway through the second half through Kyle Witt. However, the team's subpar display wound up getting them nothing from a drab match.

Collier's side made a bright start to the match, creating a pair of opportunities in the opening our minutes, with Witt heading narrowly wide from a Brad Pagliaroli cross and Pagliaroli skewing just over with an acrobatic volley.

15 minutes in Witt was played in by Alfie Presley but, through on goal, delayed his shot too long allowing Nathan Sage to recover and block his shot. Shortly after Pagliaroli then sent a low 20 yard drive just wide of the right post.

Up to that point the hosts had not looked in any danger. But they soon found themselves behind. Casually overplaying at the back, 'keeper Dan Brabham dwelled on Adam Corcoran's back pass too long, and when he attempted to clear Drew was able to block the ball and tap in from close range.

It was a dreadfully sloppy goal to concede. But not the only such one Bassett would concede.

Thornbury came close to doubling their lead on the half hour when Dan Hill sliced a clearance from an Ash Fowler cross to an unmarked Andreas Smolka but his shot from twelve yards was fortunately deflected wide. The resulting corner was cleared only as far as Smolka on the edge of the box and his low drive had to be guided over by Presley inside the six yard box.

Two defensive blocks at the other end then denied Ollie Case after he connected with Jack Hobson-McVeigh's free kick.

Then, shortly after Thornbury's Smolka blazed just over, good play between Pagliaroli and Presley freed Dan Grieve in the inside right channel. He threaded a shot past an onrushing Adam Clark but a covering Dan Parry scrambled off the line.

While not at their best, Bassett were continuing to fashion the better opportunities. And Pagliaroli came close to an equaliser, when after brilliantly winning the ball back just outside the Thornbury box, he curled an effort from the edge of the box straight at Clark.

But with half time looming the Bassett defence let their team down again. Right back Bailey Gallagher was caught napping on the ball deep inside his half. Drew dispossessed him and, with a clear run on goal, coolly slotted past Brabham.

That left Bassett a mountain to climb after the restart.

The second half began with Bassett again creating chances, Presley shooting wide from outside the box and Witt stinging Clark's palms.

The hosts survived a scare when the dangerous Smolka raced onto a clearance over the top and lifted a lob narrowly wide.

Soon Bassett did cut their arrears. Substitute Finn Hopkins made a near immediate impact as he crossed for Witt to half volley home a side foot effort from ten yards.

Collier was perhaps cursing not introducing Hopkins earlier as he posed a significant threat from his position wide on the right.

At the back though Bassett were still rather shaky. And good saves from Brabham denied Drew a hat trick from a tight angled shot and Zak Kempster whose crisp twenty yard drive was tipped over.

Bassett would have two late chances to grab a leveller come to nothing. A surging run inside from the right from Hopkins opened up space for him to shoot but his drive from the edge of the box was deflected wide. Witt then headed over when well placed from an Ollie Pitt set piece delivery.

A disappointing loss to end their home league campaign, the result also puts Bassett in danger of slipping in the table.

Thanks to Highworth Town's impressive win against champions-elect Hartpury University, Bassett can now finish no higher than sixth.

However they are in danger of slipping to seventh or even eighth if they are unable to beat Westfields next week and Pershore Town and Worcester Raiders are able to claim three and four points respectively from their final two fixtures.

Player of the match: Finn Hopkins - the youngster was impressive in his half hour of action, immediately providing an assist and proving a tricky customer for the Thornbury defence who struggled to contain him.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 23rd March 2025 at 16:23