Case heads Bassett into playoff final
Save On Tyres Stadium, 17 April 2024
Just 90 minutes of football stands between Royal Wootton Bassett Town and a possible first ever promotion to the Southern League after Olly Case's headed goal delivered a derby playoff semi final victory away against Highworth Town.
In a tense contest, Sam Collier's side were ultimately deserved winners - and they will now take their place in the final at home against Cinderford Town after the Foresters shocked favourites Corsham Town, also triumphing 1-0.
At the start of the season, Bassett's goal was to reach to the playoffs. Now they have an excellent chance to win them and achieve club history.
Recent weeks have seen Bassett grind out important, narrow wins against both Cinderford and Slimbridge in the battle to cement a playoff place.
Here, on their rivals' own patch Bassett ground out another victory by the smallest of margins to advance a step closer to promotion.
Collier's team started brightly and were almost ahead within the opening ten minutes. A firm tackle from Louis Spalding initiated a counter which ultimately led to Tommy Ouldridge being presented with a one-on-one opportunity. However he was brilliantly foiled by onrushing home 'keeper James Walker who parried away.
The remainder of the opening period was largely scrappy with half chances the order of the day.
The breakthrough eventually arrived shortly before the interval though. Spalding delivered an inswinging corner with his mercurial left foot into the heart of the Highworth box and Case, checking his run ever so slightly, found himself perfectly placed to plant a firm header from ten yards out into the bottom right corner.
Bassett would have been grateful to have more of a cushion - and the visitors pushed hard to extend their advantage following the restart.
Ouldridge and Kyle Tooze both tested Walker's reflexes, the former with a snap shot after the hosts failed to clear, the latter with a firm drive after cutting inside from the left. Alfie Presley also came close as the visitors were unable to extend their advantage.
Ultimately though Bassett were able to hang on for a famous victory. An outstretched David Pratt narrowly missed the target for the Worthians while their best opportunity fell to Connor Mattimore who forced a fine save from James Foster in the Bassett goal.
What a win this was. And what a prize that is now on offer.
Bring on the final. Bring on Cinderford. And bring on a shot at promotion to the Southern League.