Royal Wootton Bassett Town opened their 2026-27 Hellenic League Premier Division campaign with an 1-1 draw away against Hallen.

An opening day contest pitting the sides who finished 15th and 16th last season against one another, it was clear that both teams have what it takes to compete higher up the table this time round.

Indeed it was a solid game in which there were rather limited chances with both defences on top and showing well.

Bassett had got off to an excellent start, taking the lead in the fifth minute when Will Davidson knocked a set piece delivery down to Alfie Presley, who opened his account for the season with a composed finish.

The visitors went into the break in front. However, Hallen equalised shortly after the restart as Cory Thomas Barker fired beyond Josh Sawyer with a well taken free kick.

That was to be the extent of the scoring on an afternoon that saw close encounters across the division. One of two draws, the other eight games saw just one decided by more than a single goal - with Wednesday's visitors Bradford Town beating Cinderford Town 2-0.

For their visit to Hallen Bassett were resplendent in their new purple away threads (an interesting choice of colour given the club's primary home colour is blue). Bassett thus had the look of Harchester United - the focus of cult 2000s football drama Dream Team.

Success was something Harchester achieved on a regular basis, but it was never easy to come by. And if Bassett are to do well this year, the same will no doubt be true in what has the prospects of being a wide open division.

There was plenty in their performance at Hallen to be positive about. Here's hoping Bassett can build on the result to turn in a successful campaign - and one without the off field drama that Harchester experienced.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 1st August 2026 at 20:04