From the outset on Saturday the rival teams set out to show each other what they were made of, and it was one of those ding-dong battles in which first one side is on top and then the other. Wroughton were certainly the more impressive; their players were more cool, and, seemingly, the more experienced too. They gave nothing away and there was a well-defined stubbornness in every department. Indeed, I was so sure of their success that I looked up the Wroughton secretary and asked him what he thought of the side's chances of winning the competition. It looked as good as a "walk-over" when W. Batchelor, the visitors' centre, rushed out from a scrimmage and beat "Charlie" Waite from close range just after half-time.
I was wrong. Twenty minutes later H. Clarke (left back) took a free kick for Wootton Bassett about 40 yards from the visitor's goal. It was a terrific shot and beat W. Osmond, Wroughton's goalkeeper, all ends up. That goal served as a wonderful stimulator for the home players. They rallied, swept Wroughton off their feet, and at the finish had scored a well-merited 4-1 victory! W. Ogbourne [it was W.J. Ogbourne per club report] scored the second goal with a splendid drive from the left wing, while H. Bartlett brought himself bang into the limelight when he scored a couple of goals within five minutes of one another, near the end.
It was Bartlett's first try-out with Wootton Bassett's senior team. He was the liveliest player on the field at the game, when most of his comrades were showing signs of wear, he really did "set 'em alight". He is a Purton lad, 18 years of age; a little above the average height and weighs round about 11 stone. At school he scored so many goals that the lads of the village christened him "Fleming" – and that's what Wootton Bassett's supporters were yelling to him on Saturday. I really have no hesitation in entering his name in my "book". Young Bartlett will become very well known in the League before the end of the season.
Credit: The Scout for the North Wilts Herald 6 Oct1933
Last modified on Sunday 21st February 2021 at 18:03
