An anxious phone call will be made to Slimbridge’s Wisloe Road ground at half time during Wootton Bassett Town’s clash with hosts Easington Sports this afternoon.
Bassett, currently second in the Hellenic League Division One West, need a favourable result in the game between the league-leading Swans and third-placed Headington Amateurs, if they are to snatch the title on the final day. “We may well give their club a call at half time,” admitted Rylands Way chief Dave Turner. “I‘d like to know if it (the scoreline) is in our favour, we might get one of the committee to find out. I don’t want the players to know because I just want them to focus on the job in hand. But I want to now personally because it might determine how I play the last 20 minutes. The lads deserve something because we’ve had a great season.”
The top of the table is extremely tight going into the final Saturday, with Bassett, Slimbridge and Headington all mathematically able to finish first. Slimbridge are probably most fans’ favourites to triumph, as they can guarantee top spot with a win, provided Bassett do not annihilate Easington.
Turner’s men will scoop the championship if they beat Easington, and Slimbridge and Headington draw. On Bassett’s opponents, Turner added: “They are a very good side, I’ve got a lot of time for them. I went to watch them the other night (against Headington) and they are a tidy outfit. They can beat anyone in the league, they have just been a bit more inconsistent than the teams above them. They are a big, physical side and they can play as well. They won’t give us an easy afternoon, that’s for sure.”
The boss’s only injury doubt is Sam Collier, who is struggling to be fit as he has a knee ligament problem.
Praise For Programme - 21st April
Whilst having a highly successful season on the field, Wootton Bassett Town have recently received national praise for their off-field efforts as a letter praising their matchday programme was published in the most recent edition of the Non League Paper.
Ed Daniels – a groundhopper from Wiltshire – wrote the following letter to the paper, which was printed under the headline: “Well done, Wootton”: “As a keen programme collector, I feel that Wootton Bassett Town, of Hellenic Division One West, should be praised for producing a programme that would put most step 2 clubs to shame.”
Bassett’s programme – edited by former chairman Mark Smedley and printed by long time club sponsor Cats Solutions – has consistently finished winner of the Programme Monthly annual award for Hellenic League Division One West over the past few seasons, whilst also finishing top of the pile for the whole of the Hellenic League two seasons running.
Pressure On Slimbridge - 9th April
Dave Turner says all the pressure is all on Slimbridge rather than his own side as the two meet in tomorrow’s top of the table clash in Division One West.
With four games to go, Bassett are only two points off the top, and with a fully fit squad to choose from, boss Turner, pictured left, is in buoyant mood. “It’s exactly the situation you want and need when entering the final four games of the season,” he said. “At the start of the campaign, Slimbridge were everybody’s favourites for the title, and probably still are now. Although, I said to Alan Blake only last week that with five games to go Headington Amateurs should not be written off from winning the title. They’ve still got Slimbridge away on the last day of the season, so it’s all to play for. Our game against Slimbridge will be tough, as they are a very good team as their position in the league clearly shows.nBut while we respect them a lot, we certainly aren’t afraid of playing them at their place. It should be a very good game, and on paper it looks to be a close match. However, sometimes teams run away with these games, you just never know what’s going to happen.”
The Bassett boss was also quick to praise his teams work ethic this year, whatever the outcome of these final few matches. “While nothing is guaranteed at the moment as to where we will finish come the end of the season, I couldn’t be more pleased with the players’ efforts this year,” he said. “They have been in magnificent form all season. All I have ever asked of them is that they give their all on the pitch, and for 98 per cent of the time that has been the case.”
Back To Front - 2nd April
Wootton Bassett’s Sam Collier can add himself to the list of defenders turned successful strikers.
Hot-shot Collier (pictured) has played a huge part in Bassett’s rise to the top of the Hellenic League Division One West with 16 goals, but amazingly played the first half of the season as part of their rearguard. However, a striking shortage saw him pushed up top and Collier hasn’t looked back, plundering goal after goal including a hat-trick on Tuesday night against Launton Sports. The converted front man, who will again lead the line tomorrow away at Easington Sports, is now one of the first names on Bassett boss Dave Turner’s team sheet.
“Sam is an absolute star and he’s been brilliant,” explained the manager. “He’s scored 16 goals this season, even though he was either a left-back or centre-back for a lot of it. When Alex Green left we had a conversation and Sam told me he could do a job up front. I decided to give it a go and he’s done just that. He has always looked dangerous in and around the box, and scored a few from set pieces as a defender, but as he’s spent more time up there he’s turned in to an accomplished striker. He is our first choice striker now, without a doubt.”
Now in pole position, Bassett have four games remaining with which to seal their promotion to the Premier Division, and Turner has urged his troops not to throw away their hard work now. “We are not getting excited yet because it’s no good being top now and then ending up fourth at the end of the season,” he said. "We’ve done nothing so far apart from have a good run of form and a pretty good season. But we will have to keep doing all the same things that we have done throughout the season for these final four games if we want to achieve our goal. Our approach cannot change.”
Trowbridge Grief For Bassett- 19th March
Dave Turner admits he’s not sorry his side don’t have to face Trowbridge Town again this season after suffering at their hands once again.
Bassett’s boss felt his side merited more than just a point from a performance on Tuesday night that saw them pepper the woodwork and have a “stonewall’’ penalty denied. Turner admitted: “We don’t need to see any more of Trowbridge this season. Last season they were a bogey side for us. We were in contention in the league and it all ended for us at Trowbridge. I can’t fault my lads, the effort was all there, but sometimes things don’t go for you and this was one of those occasions.’’
Goals from Terry Adams and Sam Collier had put the hosts 2-1 up at the break, put poor defending gifted the visitors an equaliser, Dan Barnes and Dan Crease on target for the struggling visitors. With seven games to go though, Turner’s Bassett remain in title contention, just six points behind leaders Cheltenham Saracens with two games in hand.
Bassett are without a game on Saturday, but host third-from-bottom Winterbourne United next Tuesday evening.
Promotion Booster - 5th March
Bassett’s Hellenic League Division One West promotion push will be given a boost this weekend with the return of star man Craig Shand.
The forward (pictured left) has been out of the country on holiday for the last fortnight, but returns to Bassett’s squad for their home fixture against Clanfield tomorrow. Bassett boss Dave Turner is delighted to have the influential player back in his ranks, explaining: “Craig is an important player for us He was expected to miss two or three games, but because we had some postponed he ended up only missing one, so it hasn’t been too bad. It will be great to have him back.”
Turner has already added to his squad with ex-Cheltenham Town man Aaron Ledgister, a left-footed player who can operate wide in midfield or up front, and is also eyeing up an unnamed target who he hopes to recruit imminently. Ledgister (right) a 21 year-old former Cheltenham Town reserve had a loan spell at Chippenham in 2008 and has also had spells at Worcester City and Evesham United.
Three points against Clanfield will see Bassett rise to the division’s summit, and the manager is looking forward to getting back to action. “I genuinely cannot wait for the team to get back playing again,” he said, after seeing their fixture against bottom-side Launton Sports last Saturday succumb to the weather. The pitch is looking in good shape and if we can win and go top of the league then that would be the perfect weekend for us.”
Momentary Blip - 26th February
Manager Dave Turner fully expects his Wootton Bassett side to recover from their momentary “blip” as they bid to get back on the Hellenic League Division One West promotion trail tomorrow
.
A run of 16 games without defeat came to an unexpected halt last weekend at the hands of Cricklade Town, but Bassett have the perfect opportunity to return to winning ways as they entertain winless Launton Sports. The division’s bottom side only have a single point to their name this campaign, but Turner insists he will do everything possible to ensure his side do not get complacent.
“We’ve had one blip in 17 matches and I am pretty sure that we will pick up where we left off before that,” said the boss, who has a fully fit squad to pick from. When you look at the table, we should get three points from this one but I always think that, regardless of the opposition, because our form has been so good. To be honest though, these type of games are horrible. You are on a hiding to nothing because they will have to start picking up points at some time, and I would much rather be playing someone like Slimbridge. We do our best to make sure the players have got their feet firmly on the floor, even though everyone expects us to win. We’ve already dropped points this season against Cirencester United, so we know the pitfalls of playing a struggling side, and we have to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
Great Atmosphere - 12th February
Dave Turner believes that the atmosphere in the Wootton Bassett dressing room is the best he’s ever seen.
Bassett extended their unbeaten run to 14 games with a 2-1 win at Letcombe on Saturday and, despite sitting fourth, are just three points behind leaders Slimbridge with a game in hand. “It’s the best changing room I’ve ever been in,” said manager Turner. “I’m absolutely over the moon for the lads but we’re not getting carried away. When you’re on an unbeaten run, everyone wants to be the team to end it so we’ve done nothing yet.”
After an uneventful first-half, defender Chris Oram opened the scoring for Turner’s men, heading home from a corner. The hosts hit back through Pete Horswell, who finished well after capitalising on a mistake from Bassett’s Luke Sharps. Turner’s side pushed for the win and in the last minute, 18-year-old Fraser Joyce, a recent signing from Shrivenham Town, powered home a header at the near post.
Bassett travel to North Leigh Reserves this weekend.
Promotion Momentum - 22nd January
Division One West, Wootton Bassett will try to maintain their promotion push as they go away to mid-table Clanfield, but will have to do so without manager Dave Turner.
The boss is away on holiday and admits that after a month without a game, everyone at the club is desperate to play again. “The lads are all champing at the bit and raring to go,” he explained. "But it’s sod’s law for me. I need to get my fix of football.”
Bassett have been dealt a blow with the news that Sam Collier and Terry Adams are both major injury doubts. But Turner is hoping to recruit a new signing to bolster his squad. “He can play wide midfield or centre-forward,” revealed the manager.
“Hopefully we can get it all sorted and bring him in.”
Better Position - 15th January
Bassett chief Dave Turner admits his side are in a better position to challenge for the title than last season when the season finally resumes.
Turner, who admitted he was “getting really bored’’ by the lack of football, saw his side’s push last season falter because they had too many games to fit in late on. But he said: “We’re not playing catch-up this time and because we’re one of the few clubs in the division with floodlights, we can play Saturday and midweek when it started again.’’
Not A Fan - 31st December
Wootton Bassett manager, Dave Turner, has admitted that he isn’t a fan of local derbies.
Bassett are away to close rivals and league leaders Purton on Saturday and Turner isn’t expecting the game to be a spectacle. “Derbies aren’t a true reflection of how good your team are,” he said. “They tend to be really scrappy and it doesn't matter how much you tell the lads to play their normal game, it just doesn’t happen.”
Bassett haven’t played since December 12 and Saturday’s game could fall victim to the cold snap. “Purton had a home game called off recently but we’ve got our fingers crossed that it’ll happen,” said Turner.
Full-back Sam Collier is suspended for the clash.
"Box Ticker" On Cards - 11th December
Bassett boss Dave Turner is confident of landing a new midfielder who “ticks all the boxes” ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Cheltenham Saracens in the Hellenic League Division One West.
With Andy Philpott still a week away from fitness following a knee injury, and James Turner and Ryan Thomas both absent this weekend, Bassett are looking short in numbers, but Turner reckons he may capture a fresh face before the weekend.
The manager refused to name his target until he is signed on the dotted line, but is excited at the prospect of seeing the new recruit in action. “Hopefully we will have a debutant in central midfield on Saturday,” Turner informed. “He is at an Hellenic Premier Division side at the moment and has got experience of this level and obviously a higher one too.It’s exactly the sort of player we are trying to add to the squad and he ticks all the boxes for us. The deal is verbally agreed but until I’ve got the transfer form back in my hand I won’t be counting any chickens.”
Both Bassett and Saracens are gunning for promotion from Division One West, and are flying high in the table, and Turner is hopeful of an entertaining affair at Petersfield Park. “It’s a tough place to go and they are on fire,” he admitted. “They have come from the bottom half to the top six quite rapidly and are a good footballing side, which suits us. So it should be a good one.”
Free-Scoring Hopes - 27th November
In the Hellenic League Division One West, Wootton Bassett Town will be looking to continue their free-scoring form at Headington Amateurs tomorrow.
Headington are renowned for their muscular style of play but Bassett boss Dave Turner is looking forward to taking on the physical challenges the Oxfordshire side will present. “It’s always a tough place to go,” he said. I’m one of the few people that enjoys going to Headington. It’s a real throwback to the old days. I like my team to play football but sometimes you have got to earn the right to do that.”
Craig Shand signed for Bassett from Cricklade Town in time for this weekend's game at Amateurs.
Philpott Ready Replacement - 20th November
Dave Turner is hoping he has a ready-made replacement for Alex Green as his Wootton Bassett team prepare for the visit of Tytherington Rocks tomorrow.
Striker Green (left) rejected the chance to join Highworth Town in favour of Zamaretto League outfit Hungerford Town, appearing to leave Turner with a void up front. But Turner could now turn to Andy Philpott (right), who recently joined on loan from Swindon Supermarine Reserves, as the man to help his side continue their free-scoring ways in the Hellenic League Division One West.
“Andy is similar in build so hopefully Alex's departure won’t be as bad as it could have been,” said Turner. "He looked very good on his debut as a left midfielder and hopefully he can keep that going. He’s come here as a centre forward and there’s every chance he could start on Saturday. I think there’s every opportunity for him if Alex isn’t around.”
Meanwhile, Turner paid tribute to Green for his contribution to Bassett’s frontline play this campaign. “He will be a massive miss for us but good luck to him - it’s not often a Southern League club comes knocking on your door,” said Turner. “He’s been instrumental for us this year. He’s not scored hundreds of goals but he creates for others and does a lot for the team.
We’ve made an opportunity for him to come back at some stage in the future on loan, depending on how things shape up for him.”
Turner, who is tracking two players ahead of tomorrow’s encounter, could be without Craig Bowden (hamstring), while Ryan Banks (ankle) is also a doubt. Chris Oram will return from damaged ankle ligaments.
Attractive Contest - 16th October
Dave Turner expects an attractive contest when his Wootton Bassett Town outfit host Letcombe in the Hellenic League Division One tomorrow.
The encounter is set up to be an entertaining affair with Bassett being undefeated in four Hellenic outings, whilst Letcombe are in superb goal-scoring form, having netted nine times in their last three league games. Turner said: “Letcombe are normally a very good footballing side, they are one of those teams I really look forward to playing. They move the ball around and it usually makes for a decent game. It should be a better spectacle than some of the games we’ve played recently.”
He added: “The key thing is not to lose on Saturday and extend that unbeaten run as long as we can. If we can take it to five games then it will give us a little bit more confidence."
Steve Groom and Ryan Thomas are likely to return to the Bassett squad.
Firm Favourites - 2nd October
Wooton Bassett travel to Cirencester United for their first league match in a fortnight tomorrowand are firm favourites going into the game against a Cirencester side yet to register a league victory this season.
The manager (pictured) is confident ahead of the clash, but is keen to guard against any element of potential complacency. He said: “We expect to get something from the game and will be disappointed if we don’t, but we can’t take anything for granted. Complacency was a big problem in the game last season too, especially in the first half, as I think subconsciously we weren’t as professional as we needed to be. But we’ve spoken a lot about it already this week and it’s important we go into the game with the right attitude. We’re a long way behind with matches in the league, but we’ve been ticking over with cup games so we’re not short of match fitness."
Turner welcomes back Craig Bowden, Mitch Wyatt and Marcus Hall. And the manager is ecstatic that is squad is nearly back to full strength, and brimming with confidence ahead of the trip to Cirencester. “I’ve got the biggest, fittest squad I’ve had all season,” Turner enthused. “There is competition for places right across the board, the players are happy and there’s a great atmosphere around the place. A couple of clubs have come in for a couple of our players recently but our lads have said no, so it’s nice that players want to stay here “The last four games we’ve been playing terrific football all over the park, and hopefully with a win at Ciren we can start getting as high as we can up the table.”
Bassett are missing Chris Oram who is struggling with injury, but will otherwise be at full strength.
Sam's The Man -25th September
Bassett boss Dave Turner hailed utility man Sam Collier(pictured) after he inspired the side to pick up six crucial points in four days.
Town travelled to Harrow Hill on Wednesday and came away 3-1 winners thanks to goals from Ryan Banks and Collier, on a rare outing up front.
They followed this with a five-goal demolition of a strong Lydney side on Saturday with the dup again on the scoresheet, while Adam Field and two from Alex Green competed the scoring.
Turner said “Sam’s normally a left back but he scored and set one up after coming off the bench on Saturday. I gave him a chance because he told me he would get me a goal. There was interest from Calne for Sam, but he’s staying now.”
Bassett host Easington Sports on tomorrow.
Battle Stations! - 18th September
Wootton Bassett boss Dave Turner is preparing himself for a battle - literally - at home against Lydney.
Steve Groom and Ryan Thomas both return for Bassett, while Jon Holloway is rated 50-50, and Turner is delighted to have some extra bodies at his disposal for a physical test at Rylands Way. “Hopefully we will have a few players back and that will be a big boost,” he said. “Lydney are mid-table but normally quite a physical side and you always know what to expect from them. They are big old boys and will pose us some problems, but we will have to match them in that side of the game and then try to out-football them once we’ve won the battle.”
Cup Toil - 11th September
Wootton Bassett go into tomorrow’s Hellenic League Division One West local derby with Cricklade Town already bearing the brunt of cup commitments.
In a flashback to last season, Bassett have been inundated with cup meetings already - and boss Dave Turner is relieved to finally be able to concentrate on league football this weekend. He said: “We’ve only managed three league games this season because we’ve been wrapped up in cups. We’re already playing catch-up in terms of fixtures, so I’m over the moon to be able to have a few games now, which give us the chance to pick up some points.”
The trip to Cricklade is the first of three matches in a week for Turner’s side, who have had a difficult opening to the campaign. “We haven’t yet played anyone outside the top three. I suppose it’s good to get them done early, but it’s been tricky so far,” admitted the manager. “I’m not expecting it to be particularly pretty tomorrow. These derby games never are - they’re always pretty scrappy affairs, and it comes down to the team that wants it the most. It’s down to desire.”
League Losses Mean Little - 28th August
Wootton Bassett Town face Wessex Premier League strugglers Brockenhurst in the FA Cup tomorrow.
A 6-1 mid-week thrashing of Headington means that Dave Turner’s men are full of confidence going into the Preliminary Round tie. Turner said: “We’re playing well so are obviously very confident ahead of Saturday.”
Visitors Brockenhurst are without a win this season but Turner thinks that has little meaning ahead of Saturday’s clash. He said: “I know they’ve lost four in a row but that won’t matter come Saturday. They’re in a very good league (Wessex Premier) and will be a good footballing side. I know a lot about that league and even the teams near the bottom play good football, so it’ll certainly be a tough test.”
Defender Marcus Hall could feature if he recovers from a foot injury, but Terry Adams is struggling with a groin strain.
Bassett Start Season - 21st August
Wootton Bassett finally get their FTL Futbol Hellenic League season underway tomorrow with a visit to promotion fancied Slimbridge.
Having had their first game cancelled due to Harrow Hill's withdrawal from the League, Bassett have only had the victorious cup ties with Westbury as far as competitive fixtures are concerned. However, manager Dave Turner believes his side is more than ready for the first game. He said: “There’s no rustiness or lack of fitness among the lads at all.
We’ve had two tough games against Westbury, and I think those matches have been just what we needed to prepare for Slimbridge. We put in a great performance in the replay and got a deserved win, so we’re confident ahead of Saturday.”
Turner, pictured, is also more than happy for his side to travel to Gloucestershire as underdogs. He said: “Nobody expects us to go there and get anything so anything we do get is a bonus really. It will also give us a useful measure of the standard that we’ll be facing for the rest of the season.”
Bassett will be hoping that Marcus Hall recovers from the bruised foot sustained in the 3-2 win over Westbury on Tuesday.
Dave Turner says all the pressure is all on Slimbridge rather than his own side as the two meet in tomorrow’s top of the table clash in Division One West.
Wootton Bassett’s Sam Collier can add himself to the list of defenders turned successful strikers.
Bassett’s Hellenic League Division One West promotion push will be given a boost this weekend with the return of star man Craig Shand.
Striker Green (left) rejected the chance to join Highworth Town in favour of Zamaretto League outfit Hungerford Town, appearing to leave Turner with a void up front. But Turner could now turn to Andy Philpott (right), who recently joined on loan from Swindon Supermarine Reserves, as the man to help his side continue their free-scoring ways in the Hellenic League Division One West.