Bassett pay the penalty in Pershore defeat

Royal Wootton Bassett Town fell to a 2-1 home defeat against Pershore Town in their second home festive fixture in the space of 48 hours.

Bassett took an early lead in the match. However the visitors equalised just before half time before a penalty just after the hour mark determined the outcome of the game.

While Bassett's effort could not be faulted, they were at a significant disadvantage going into the match. With no game on Boxing Day, Pershore were well rested whereas Bassett had to contend with having to dust themselves off with just a single day's rest following their draw against Corsham Town.

Pershore were, unsurprisingly, the slightly better of the two teams on the day and ultimately came away with all three points.

Sam Collier's side did make sure to get off to the best possible start though.

The game was only a couple of minutes old when Pershore failed to deal with a throw in deep in their territory and the ball fell to Dan Grieve who fired in from the edge of the box to make it two goals in two games since signing from Chipping Sodbury Town.

Pershore's equaliser would stem from a throw in too.

With half time imminent, Jake Donnelly flung in a long throw which Luke Carsley connected with at the front post and his flick on made its way into the net.

The game's winning goal then came from the spot. James Baldwin latched onto Nathan Benson's through ball in the left channel and he was scythed down in the box by Alan Griffin, who was beaten for pace.

Benson took the honours from the spot, sending James Foster the wrong way.

Bassett will now look to get back to winning ways - and keep their playoff push on track - when they visit Hereford Pegasus on New Year's Day.

That contest represents the first of three challenging away games to begin 2025 - with visits to Sporting Club Inkberrow and Roman Glass St George, both of who Bassett are currently chasing, to follow.