Resilient Bassett battle back for derby draw

Royal Wootton Bassett Town avoided defeat against Corsham Town in their latest derby encounter. But Bassett were still unable to beat the Quarrymen as their Boxing Day encounter at the Sustain Stadium ended aim a 2-2 draw.

Given his team's below par performance and the overall trajectory of the game, Bassett boss Sam Collier will no doubt settle for that outcome though - even if it was ultimately a case of two points dropped and a chance passed up to re-enter the top five in the Hellenic League Premier Division.

Despite not being at their best, Bassett showed their resilience as they twice went behind before clawing their way back onto level terms.

Former Bassett youth section player Otis Lewis had given the visitors an early lead.

But George Peare got Bassett back on terms shortly before the half hour. Alfie Presley showed his strength to latch onto Dan Hill's pass in the right channel and, from a tight angle, saw a stab at goal parried at point blank range by Corsham 'keeper Louis Smith. But Peare was lurking in the six yard box and, with his back to goal, hooked an overhead kick into the net.

Corsham would then go back in front with quarter of an hour to go as Tyler Linton netted.

However their second lead of the day didn't last long as two Bassett substitutes combined to again restore parity.

Finn Hopkins drove inside from the left and did brilliantly not just to spot new signing Dan Grieve unmarked on the edge of the area but also to play a cut back to the forward. But Hopkins' pass found his man and Grieve took one touch before calmly placing into the bottom left corner.

That would prove the last goal of the game with Bassett ultimately thankful that 'keeper - and player of the match - James Foster was in fine form, helping limit Corsham to just the two goals.

Bassett will hope to be back to their best on Saturday when Pershore Town are the visitors. Well rested after having Boxing Day off, the Plums will represent another stern test. In good form, Pershore have dropped just five points from their last available 21 - and they arguably need a win at Bassett to help keep alive their playoff hopes.