Belmonte brace beats Bassett

City further extended their winning record on a cold and wet Tuesday night in Royal Wootton Bassett, with a 2-1 win over the side in third place in the league, courtesy of a brace from Kyle Belmonte.

In the absence of City boss Chris Cornes, Ryan Rowe and Nick Clayton took charge of proceedings, with Chris Knight and Kirk Layton the preferred centre half pairing on the night, and Dylan Hart returning to the team after a goal from the bench at the weekend.

City began brightly and were ahead after just five minutes. Following some expert build-up play, Dylan Hart chested the ball down into the path of Elliott Hartley, who then found Belmonte in behind with only the keeper to beat. His calm, side footed finish nestled in the bottom corner of the Bassett net for the perfect start for City.

Bassett grew into the game though and equalised after a rare lapse in judgement by Whitcombe. Aiming to collect a cross into the box, Whitcombe bundled into Bassett’s Spalding and brought him to ground, leaving the referee with no choice but to award a penalty. Alfie Presley sent Whitcombe the wrong way and Bassett found themselves level at the break, despite a scramble in the box towards the end of the half which included a goal line clearance.

Hartley had a glorious opportunity to put City back in front early in the second half thanks to Jordan Lymn’s defence-splitting pass, but he mis-judged the finish and his effort went wide of the post. Bassett themselves hit the inside of the post and were within centimetres of taking the lead for the first time on the night.

With just under half an hour to play, Rowe & Clayton made the change which would make the difference. Evans came on to replace Dylan Hart and was immediately effective, correctly judging the flight of a Stoddart forward pass whilst the defender slipped over. Racing into the box, he teed the ball back for Belmonte, who drove the ball into the back of the net from just a few yards to put City back in front.

The home side battled to get back on to level terms, sometimes a little too hard with Presley and Packer receiving yellow cards for hacking down Stoddart and Lockett respectively. Both sides created little more opportunities on goal in what was a scrappy end to the game, with conditions not getting any better, and City held on for their twentieth win in a row in all competitions.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town remain in third place, on 67 points, and with just two games remaining in their season look set for a play off place. City meanwhile return to the top of the league, two points clear of Corsham Town but still with four games in hand. City require a maximum of eleven points from their remaining eight games, although ten should be enough by virtue of a much better goal difference than Corsham, to secure the Hellenic Premier Division title and promotion to Step 4.

That will all be placed on hold however with an FA Vase Semi Final to play, if the weather and Claines Lane pitch can hold out, on Saturday versus Great Wakering Rovers.