Nat Bell scored the only goal of the game as Royal Wootton Bassett Town recorded a deserved 1-0 victory against Pershore Town - a result that lifts Jonny Aitkenhead's out of the Hellenic League Premier Division.

Togetherness has been a key feature of Bassett's performances in the weeks since their 6-2 humbling at the hands of Hallen.

And that was again on display as Bassett clinched another vital victory against Pershore, making it six points from the last available nine.

The decisive goal came courtesy of a swift counter 20 minutes in.

Pershore's Calum Harper had forced Lewis Clark to tip around the post with a low effort after twisting his way into the box. The resulting corner came to nothing though - and Bassett punished the visitors on the break.

Jordan Sykes, who had earlier come close to breaking the deadlock with a fizzing drive that Joe Cunneen initially spilled before diving back onto the ball, clipped a pass into the left channel. Defender Cian Sheehan was initially there to cover, but under pressure from Bell, he underhit a backpass which the Bassett forward seized upon.

After bearing down on goal, Bell produced a cool finish, slotting beneath Cunneen from the edge of the area for his first goal back with Bassett after re-joining from Calne Town.

In a half of otherwise limited chances, Bassett were good for their lead and headed into the interval in front.

They were on the front foot after the restart too with Ed Taylor and Sykes both calling Cunneen into action in quick succession.

Another defensive slip then presented Ben Cleary with an opportunity where had just the 'keeper to beat and with Cunneen out of position. But Bassett's leading marksman rushed his shot, spinning an ultimately attempted lob off target.

Predictably, Pershore sought to up the pressure as time wound down. Indeed they were seeking to do the same as they did when the teams met in Worcestershire earlier in the campaign - grab a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw.

Their best chance came when Harry Messenger misjudged a header from a long Cunneen ball forward, presenting a chance to substitute Josh Gibbs who dragged wide when in behind from fifteen yards.

A great pair of opportunities to seal the game then passed Bassett by. A neat give and go between substitutes Gabe Reivers and Dylan Griffin saw the latter guide wide on the stretch.

Their next chance saw Taylor weave his way through on goal only to be foiled by Cunneen who smothered at his feet.

Pershore still therefore had time to salvage something - with Cunneen joining the visitors' attack from set plays.

One such occasion saw a free kick from the deep only half cleared, with the ball falling to Gibbs who - to Bassett's relief - curled narrowly over from twenty yards out.

The result means Bassett no longer sit in the bottom two, though the three teams below them - Hallen, Cribbs and Thornbury Town - all have at least a game in hand.

But if they maintain their recent run of solid team performances, Bassett can certainly look to pull themselves clear in the mini table they are in - and possibly even drag others into it, like Pershore who Bassett are now just four points behind.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 6th December 2025 at 21:27