Wootton Bassett played a spoiling game, with their backs continually putting the Warminster attack off-side, and these tactics were not completely mastered by Warminster until the second half, when the home side were well on top.

The first goal for Warminster in five minutes was an unnecessary one and rather a surprise. Warminster were pressing, but not particularly dangerously, when King, the visitors' right back, passed back from close quarters and Alford was able to rush in and put the ball in from a few yards. Bower scored the second for Warminster when Clifton came out of his goal to meet Sainsbury but failed to gain possession. Wootton Bassett were always dangerous at this stage and after a shot by Morris had hit the upright Simpkins followed up to put the ball into the net. The same player equalised a minute from half-time.

The heavy ground had made going very difficult and it seemed in the second half as if the Warminster players were able to stand the pace better than the visitors. They went ahead again five minutes after the restart through Sainsbury, and the same player afterwards added two more to complete his hat-trick.

Credit: Wiltshire Times, Saturday 9th January 1954
Last modified on Friday 29th January 2021 at 16:51