Mangos deliver reality check

As mightily impressive as Royal Wootton Bassett Town's recent Hellenic League Premier Division run has been, the 31 points from the last available 36 they had taken prior to their visit to Mangotsfield United had only brought them back into contention for a playoff place, rather than putting them in a comfortable top five position.

Going up against opponents who themselves are fighting fiercely for a playoff finish, it was therefore important that Bassett maintained that form.

Instead, Sam Collier and his team suffered a reality check, falling to a 3-0 defeat with all the goals coming in the opening half.

The hosts went ahead in stunning - albeit somewhat fortuitous - fashion as, catching Bassett 'keeper Joel Mannings-Butler off his line, James White hit a speculative shot from near the halfway line that sailed in.

After Mannings-Butler did well to keep a couple more home efforts out, he was beaten a second time midway through the opening period when some ping pong in the box culminated in George Neill steering home.

White and Neill then combined to set up Mangotsfield's third, with the latter knocking the ball down for Joe Cattermole to drive a shot in from close range.

Bassett had been lively when going forward but lacked the clinical edge they had shown in recent weeks in the league.

Mangotsfield, on the other hand, possessed that potency.

And, as has been typical when games have ended with such an outcome for Bassett this season, it meant the visitors lost in convincing fashion.

That was again the case against Mangotsfield. Bassett's eighth defeat in the league, four of those have been by three or more goals. Indeed, five of eleven losses experienced in all competitions this season have been by such a margin.