Royal Wootton Bassett Town came from two goals down to earn a deserved point in an entertaining contest against Hellenic League Premier Division title chasers Droitwich Spa.

An assured second half performance, capped by a pair of well-taken Rudi Hopkins' goals, got Jonny Aitkenhead's side back on terms after a somewhat shaky first half display had Bassett staring at defeat.

Bassett had trailed early as Alex Dugmore headed the visitors in front. Dugmore initially did well to hold up the ball before setting back to Reiss Taylor-Randle, who then fed Josh Hurdman on the right. Quick feet allowed Hurdman to get the better of Ollie Smith and he was able to stand up a cross to the far post that Dugmore guided in.

Direct play then created Droitwich's second shortly before the interval. Centre midfielder Cory Rudd whipped a fine first time cross field pass into the right channel behind the Bassett defence, which Hurdman ran onto. And he sidestepped an onrushing Lewis Clark before coolly slotting home.

Against the division's third place team, a 2-0 half time deficit was not the position Bassett wanted to find themselves in.

But much to their credit, Aitkenhead's side summoned an excellent response.

They began the half with intent as Hopkins, following a Harry Messenger through ball, and Ben Cleary, after being played in by Nat Bell, both forced early alert saves from Joe Stockton when well placed.

The hosts then got back into the game on the hour. Smith seized on James Lemon's attempted switch from left to right and quickly shifted play to the opposite end of the pitch with a controlled ball over the top that Cleary latched onto. Cleary held play up before squaring for Hopkins who swept home, with the aid of a slight deflection, from the edge of the box.

Seven minutes later the scores were level. Lewis Thorne and Ciaran Walsh combined well to steal possession from Perry Moss, with the latter feeding Ed Taylor in the right channel. Taylor then cut back for Hopkins on the edge of the box and he placed a cool first time finish into the bottom corner.

Bassett then will have felt they could have potentially gone on to win the game - and Smith forced a fine save from Stockton late on with a curling 30 yard strike that the 'keeper tipped away at full stretch.

A draw against high-flying opposition was a mightily impressive result though - especially given Bassett were forced to come from two down to earn a point.

Despite the positive outcome though, Bassett do slip a place to 18th in the table after Thornbury Town's 2-0 win against underachieving Fairford Town.

But if Bassett can replicate their second half performance in the games to come, they should have no issue in picking up points and improving their position.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 20th December 2025 at 21:22