Premier Division
Wootton Bassett Town 2 Pegasus Juniors 2
Saturday, 12 October 2002
The visitors disappointingly again let a two-goal advantage slip way in the final minutes of the game after producing a dogged and workmanlike performance that was worthy of all three points.
Still unable to field the first choice team due to injury and unavailability the visitors got off to a bright start against a home team that were on a high after their win over leaders North Leigh in the last game. Wootton Bassett had the ball in the net after thirteen minutes; however, this was disallowed following a blatant foul on teenage goalkeeper Kyle Waring. Shortly afterwards Neil Hotchkiss saw a free header flash wide of the upright with Steve Hale the home keeper stranded. Two minutes later the same player had a shot saved at the second attempt by the net minder. Joe Wright won the ball near the edge of the penalty box and unleashed a shot that skidded off the outside of the goalpost. After 38 minutes, Paul Garbett almost surprised Waring with a snap shot that was pushed away at the expense of a corner kick. On the stroke of half time Nick Tooley hit the upright for the home team as they pushed for an advantage before the break.
Half Time: 0-0
After the resumption both sides were searching for the opening to break the deadlock, it was apparent it was going to take something a little special to achieve this; the Gavin Stone unleashed a shot from thirty yards that rocketed into the net past the helpless Hale, this was his sixth goal in four games. Pegasus took advantage of this as the confidence grew and increased the lead following a neat interchange of passes between Hotchkiss and Matt Gray playing in an unfamiliar midfield role that allowed Darren Jones to drive the ball home from a narrow angle at the far post. The home side were under a considerable amount of pressure at this stage and several substitutions were made to increase the attacking power. As is quite often the case it took a little luck for them to achieve this; as a shot from substitute Nathan Hall was covered by Waring but it was deflected off the heal of man of the match Ian Bassett past the helpless teenager. This gave the Town the added impetus and they continued to surge forward at every opportunity and Hall denied the visitors all three points in the eighth minute of stoppage time, much to the delight of the home supporters.
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