Royal Wootton Bassett Town's winless start to the 2026-27 Hellenic League Premier Division season continued after a 2-1 home defeat against Pershore Town.

A Dylan Hart double proved decisive as he scored in either half to guide Pershore, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, to their fourth win in six games so far this year.

Bassett had plenty of the ball and spent a good amount of time in the Pershore half. But that wasn't enough to gain the breakthrough against a resolute Plums defence.

In the first half Bassett fashioned decent openings, though lacked sufficient end product. Harrison Edwards dragged wide after a neat give and go with the lively Finn Hopkins while an unmarked Joah Hall headed straight into the arms of Ethan Pheasey from an Edwards delivery. Rudi Hopkins, meanwhile, snatched at an Ed Taylor cross after an incisive move down the right.

Pershore then went ahead ten minutes before the break with what was really their first chance of the match. Direct football brought it about too. Pheasey's punt forward found Alemi Obey-GM, who outmuscled Louis Spalding before beating Harry Messenger and squaring into the box where Hart was on hand to steer beyond Josh Sawyer.

Rudi Hopkins brought out a save from Pheasey moments later but Bassett were to go into the break behind.

The second half played out in a similar manner to the first with Bassett largely on top but finding it hard to break down Pershore's solid defence.

Bassett had the better of the early opportunities as Rudi Hopkins headed narrowly over from a Taylor cross before Finn Hopkins had two opportunities, forcing Pheasey to tip wide from a daisycutter and dragging wide from the edge of the box from a Hall through ball.

But with quarter of an hour to go Pershore doubled their lead with a stunning counter. After Finn Hopkins was dispossessed, Callum Harper picked up the ball fifteen yards inside his own half. He then proceeded to cut inside, weaving his way past three defenders before slipping through Hart who made no mistake with a tight angled shot into the bottom corner.

Bassett continued to create chances. Alfie Presley, returning from suspension, shot wide before being denied at point blank range by Pershore's star man Pheasey after Jack Coward's knock down from a Tommy Ouldridge delivery.

Bassett did eventually pull one back in stoppage time with goalscorer Nat Bell playing a key role at the start and the end of the move. Bell did brilliantly to win the flick on when competing to head Sawyer's long ball forward. He then bust a gut to race into the box where he was on hand to coolly guide a first time effort into the net from Alfie Presley's delivery.

It proved too little, too late though for the hosts who remain on two points after seven games.

While it is still relatively early in the campaign, Bassett find themselves in a position - bottom of the table - that nobody would have expected them to occupy.

There is undoubtedly plenty of talent in the squad. Now though, more than anything, comes a significant test of character.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 5th September 2026 at 22:43