Since joining the Hellenic League Premier Division Corsham Town have had Royal Wootton Bassett Town's number, winning eight of nine games in all competitions, with the other fixture ending a draw.

Finally though, Bassett brought that sorry streak to an end. And they do so in style courtesy of an all round superb, battling team performance that earned a 2-1, come from behind victory courtesy of goals from Ben Cleary and Kye Williams.

Against a side who had lost just one of their opening six league fixtures while keeping four clean sheets, it was a hugely impressive way for Jonny Aitkenhead's talented young side to claim their first league win of the season - and a fine way to build confidence ahead of next Saturday's Emirates FA Cup first qualifying round tie against Torpoint Athletic.

A lively opening saw the teams exchange half chances.

But it was to be the visitors who broke the deadlock on the quarter hour mark.

Despite appearing to get a glove on the ball, Adam House was adjudged to have brought down Jaden Brown in the box. And from the resulting penalty Lewis Gilchrist coolly sent the Bassett 'keeper the wrong way, stroking home into the left corner.

But Bassett levelled shortly after. Good play down the right opened up space for Marcel Lewis and his run into the box was abruptly ended by à trailing Pele Kouisseoue to earn the hosts a penalty of their own.

Leading scorer Ben Cleary stepped up to the mark and saw his effort blocked by Corsham custodian Ryan Clarke. But the rebound fell kindly for Cleary and he had the simplest of tap ins to level.

The game continued to be end to end - and Bassett survived a let off when an unmarked Jerry Lawrence dragged wide from a Gilchrist cut back.

Bassett then upped the ante before the break.

Jono Peachey-Score saw a curling effort deflected narrowly over.

A Lewis break then saw a close range Williams strike denied by a block. The rebound came out to Ollie Smith whose dipping long range drive was acrobatically tipped away by Clarke.

Good interplay between Williams and Cleary then saw the latter square for Peachey-Score whose first time drive from the edge of the area went narrowly over.

Bassett carried that momentum into the second half and were ahead shortly after the restart.

Lewis switched play to Peachey-Score on the left, who twisted and turned to buy time before feeding a fine reverse pass to Williams that split the Corsham line. Williams took one touch before quickly pulling the trigger and his low 20 yard strike squirmed beneath Clarke and into the bottom left corner.

At the other end a Gilchrist free kick whistled past the right post and into the side netting as Bassett held onto their slender advantage.

But Aitkenhead's side continued to enjoy the better chances. And Cleary forced a low parry from Clarke after a Williams knock down and surging run.

That kept Corsham in the game as they sought to get on terms.

House was soon called into action and did well to dig out a Kouisseoue toe poke after he had beaten Smith. Jaiden Pearce then sent a glancing header wide from a corner.

Omar Taylor Clarke came close with two long range efforts, the first saved comfortably by House, the second flying past the post.

With Corsham pushing forward that left opportunities for Bassett to try and exploit.

A tight angled Cleary strike almost brought a third but was parried by Clarke. Meanwhile Lewis was denied by a block after he got on the end of a Peachey-Score cross at the left post.

Back at the other end, player of the match House was again brought into action as he guided another Kouisseoue attempt around the post after the left winger jinked his way past Smith.

Peachey-Score then had another great chance to make it 3-1 but skewed wide after being set up by Lewis.

A third goal ultimately wasn't required though with Bassett's defence standing firm to claim à mightily impressive three points.

This young team continues to grow - and this deserved derby victory was a clear example of how far they have progressed in such a short time together.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Monday 25th August 2025 at 22:39