Mid-season review: Exciting start leaves plenty to look forward to
The opening half of the 2023-24 season has been another hectic one for Royal Wootton Bassett Town's teams. For most sides, there's a chance over the Christmas period to have a well-earned rest - though not for the Men's First Team who host local rivals Highworth Town on 27 December before two trips to Hereford over the new year. Now then is a good a time to reflect on the first half of the campaign. And for Bassett's two flagship sides in particular it has been a highly successful season to date - with plenty for them to look forward to in the new year as the Men's First Team push for a playoff place and the Women's First Team for automatic promotion.
Men's First Team
Aiming to match last season's fifth place finish in the Hellenic League Premier Division - Bassett's highest ever placing - Sam Collier and his team went into the 2023-24 with lofty ambitions. So far though, Bassett have more than justified setting the bar high with the team in third place going into the final round of games before Christmas. Aside from three games (the heavy defeats away at title favourites Worcester City and Corsham Town as well as the disappointing 2-0loss away at Lydney Town), Bassett have performed strongly and delivered result after result. Bassett were most dominant in big away wins against Wantage Town, Brimscombe and Thrupp and Fairford Town. Arguably most impressive, however, have been the numerous gritty performances. Demonstrating resilience and fortitude that at times in previous years may have been lacking, Bassett have delivered come from behind victories at home against Slimbridge and away at Westfields, an impressive home triumph against fellow playoff contenders Roman Glass St George and an unlikely point with ten men against Pershore Town. Those kind of performances and results have become Bassett's trademark this season. And if they are to continue, another top five finish - which this year would mean a place in the playoffs for promotion to step four - will be well within reach for what it is without doubt the most well-balanced squad Collier has put together during his spell in charge. There has been success on the cup front for the Men's First Team too. Although Bassett's 2-0 defeat against Mangotsfield United in the Emirates FA Cup extra preliminary round was disappointing, Collier and his team enjoyed another fruitful run in the Buildbase FA Vase. 2-1 victories against Elburton Villa and Longlevens ensured Bassett reached the third round for a third consecutive season before a heartbreaking defeat on penalties against Bridgwater United. Bassett still have an interest in knockout competitions entering the new year. And January will bring a Wiltshire Premier Shield semi final against Swindon Supermarine and a Wiseman Lighting Floodlit Cup quarter final date with Roman Glass St George. A shot at promotion through the playoffs and a first cup final appearance in 23 years are therefore both very much up for grabs.
Women's First Team
After suffering relegation from the South West Regional Women's Football League Premier Division last season, the Women's First Team have quickly regathered and started strongly in Division One Eastern. Adam Wood and his side hit the ground running, recording three convincing wins in the league and two in the Women's FA Cup - the latter of which helped Bassett match their best run in the competition. League defeats against Bath City (1-2) and Poole Town (1-5) as well as an agonising Women's FA Cup loss against AFC Stoneham (0-1) represented setbacks. Yet Bassett got themselves back into contention for promotion with a gutsy 2-1 win in the return fixture at Poole and a 3-1 home victory against Purton. The lack of games - exacerbated by Pen Mill's early withdrawal from the league and recent postponements - has been a frustration. However, Bassett showed few signs of rust when returning from a three week layoff at the start of December, recording big victories in the league against Ridgeway and the Wiltshire County Cup against Westbury Youth. The latter set up a quarter final against Swindon Town - a tough prospect but a test to look forward to. That game plus a promotion push in the league means there's plenty to look forward to when their season resumes. Just one side is guaranteed to go up and Poole are currently in the driving seat. But if Bassett get on a winning streak and their Dorset rivals drop points, then the title is there to play for. There's certainly little margin for error for Bassett in the league - but the team has the required quality and character to make immediate amends for last year's outcome.
Development Team
In the Wiltshire Senior League Premier Division, the Development team have enjoyed another solid start to the season. Although not in the mix to reclaim the title they won two seasons ago, Mark Simpkins' team are riding high in fourth place. And they are competing with Melksham Town and Larkhall Athletic – whose first teams both play in the Southern League - for the unofficial prize of the division's best second string side. Currently their record stands at ten wins and eight defeats from their opening 18 matches (with a tough home contest at title challengers Kintbury Rangers to come just before Christmas). Despite losing to Amesbury Town and twice to Pewsey Vale, the Development team have been competitive against the two other main contenders, while also beating last season's champions Trowbridge Town. Playing good quality football to a set system, the team have been impressive with manager Simpkins squeezing the best out of his squad. Indeed, there have been solid contributions across the pitch from what is a young, talented group of players.
Youth and Girls
Last season saw seven youth sides add their name to the club's honours board, achieving success either in the league or cup. With multiple teams having a tough start to the 2023-24 campaign, there are likely to be fewer additions this time round – though there is still hope for some. Wiltshire Senior League Under 18 Floodlit Division runners-up the past two years, hopes of repeating that success for this year's Under 18 cohort will depend on overhauling one of either reigning champions Kintbury Rangers or newcomers – and this year's favourites – Bristol Manor Farm. Three defeats in their opening six fixtures – as well as a narrow loss in the FA Youth Cup preliminary round – saw the team get off to a somewhat slow start. But they have since bounced back, recording two victories and an impressive home draw against Bristol Manor Farm to leave Gavin Cook's team sitting third at Christmas in what is again largely a very competitive division. In the North Wilts League, the Under 16 Blues find themselves top of Division Two. Although having played more games than any other side, they will be hoping to compete for honours in what has been a closely competed division so far. Then in Division Four, the Under 14 Yellows find themselves just three points behind the leaders going into the new year. Elsewhere, the Under 18 Yellow (Division Two), 16 Yellow (Division Three), 15 Yellow (Division Three) and 13 Yellow (Division Four) sides all find themselves in solid mid-table positions. The same is true of the Under 14 and Under 12 teams in the Wiltshire County Girls' League, with both sides performing well and capable of strong top half finishes. Though needing to pick up further points to solidify their Division One status, the Under 12 Blues have a North Wilts League Cup quarter final tie to look forward to when play resumes in January. Meanwhile, the Under 15 Blues (Division One), 14 Blues (Division One), 13 Blues (playing up an age group in Under 14Division Two), and 12 Yellows (Division Three) will be looking to turn their fortunes around in the second half of the season and claw their way towards safety. At the non-competitive age groups it has been enjoyable to see the continued progress made by Bassett's teams - nine in the North Wilts League and the Under 9 and 11 Girls sides in the Wiltshire County Girls' League. The new year will also see the Under 8 Girls commence playing in the North Wilts League.
Veterans
Although results on the field have not been as strong as last year, the club's Veterans' section remains on a solid footing with large numbers signed on for the two teams running and recreational Friday night football continuing to be a success. After finishing as runners-up in both the Wiltshire Senior League North Division and Wiltshire County Cup last geae, the. Over 35s Veterans team have had a more modest start to the 2023-24 season. In the league, Bassett currently occupy a mid-table position, having won three, drawn one and lost four of their opening eight fixtures. And it's likely that, at best, the team will be battling for fourth place. The North Division has strengthened again this season, with newcomers Coate and current leaders Redhouse unbeaten, and reigning champions Cricklade Town also a class above. A third straight County Cup final appearance has also been ruled out for Bassett with a narrow second round defeat against Redlynch and Woodfalls United, while the team were knocked out of the Wiltshire League Cup in the second round. After their most competitive campaign yet in 2022-23, Bassett's Over 50s have also been unable to match last season's results. At Christmas, they sit seventh out of eight teams in the Oxfordshire Premier League Division Two, with one win and a draw to their name from their opening seven matches. With the current state of play in the division, there is hope though that an improved second half of the campaign could allow Bassett to achieve a repeat of last season's fifth place finish.
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As always, on-field achievement is not the only metric of success. And the strength of the club in terms of the number of teams it boasts remains something to celebrate. Altogether, Royal Wootton Bassett Town currently operates 34 teams, ranging from Under 6s through to Over 50s. This comprises two senior Men's, seven Women's and Girls' (up from five at this time last year), 23 youth and two Veterans' teams. Combined with the club's consistently strong community football programmes, that is something we can be immensely proud of. And there's plenty to look forward to again in the new year. With the Men's and Women's First Team sides both pushing for promotion and plenty of youth section action – including the Holland Tour – to come, 2024 promises much.