Longlevens hit Bassett for six to end 10 year home hoodoo
Longlevens bounced back from Saturday’s penalties defeat in the FA Vase with a thumping 6-2 win over Royal Wootton Bassett Town on Wednesday night.
The hosts had to come from behind as Cam Williams’ opener was cancelled out by Ben Cleary’s header and Rudi Hopkins’ close range finish but goals from Shiyak Sutherland, Brad Martin and a TJ Bohane own goal saw Levens lead 4-2 at the break.
And Fin Gwillim came off the bench to add a brace of his own, deflecting a goalbound Alex Knight effort past the keeper, before converting a penalty with he won himself as Levens made it ten goals in two games this week.
The win is their third league victory in a row, after beating Hallen and Thornbury Town before the defeat on penalties to Slimbridge on Saturday.
Incredibly it is the first time since October 2015, Longlevens’ debut Hellenic Premier campaign, where they have been able to claim a home victory against Royal Wootton Bassett, with a 1-1 and 2-2 draw their best result against their visitors at Saw Mills – a game which Brad Martin played in.
Buster Davies & Pete Boyle’s side now go into the final weekend of September with knowing they have nearly half as many league wins already that Levens managed in the whole of last season.
They welcome Highworth Town to Saw Mills on Saturday, before a trip to Lydney Town next weekend.
Wednesday’s match started at a frantic pace, with Marcel Lewis and Jack Beardsell exchanging shots on target for in the opening four minutes.
Longlevens made the early breakthrough though, as Brad Martin headed down a long throw-in and Cam Williams’ sweeping effort deflected into the far corner.
But Bassett weren’t behind for too long and on 12 minutes a deflected cross from the right by Lewis was nodded home by Ben Cleary at the back post.
Bassett took the lead on 26 minutes when Lewis again fired a ball in from the right and Rudi Hopkins was on hand to turn home the loose ball.
However, like Bassett had done to them, Longlevens replied instantly. Shiyak Sutherland added to his brace from Saturday with a ball in from the left that was diverted beyond Clark and it was all square.
Brad Martin thumped home from close range just after the half hour mark as another long throw in was flicked on and fell for the forward.
And the first half scoring wasn’t done there as Cam Williams’ free kick was turned into his own net by TJ Bohane to extend the hosts advantage at the break.
Both sides made a change at the interval, with Ryan Williams having to depart due to a tight hamstring. Fin Gwillim Replaced him and a reshuffle was made.
Alex Knight had an effort deflected out for a corner shortly after the restart, before Gwillim headed wide five minutes later.
On 66 minutes Gwillim was bundled over in the box and dusted himself off to step up and convert from 12 yards to make it 5-2.
And with just under 15 minutes left on the clock, Knight took down a ball forward beautifully, before getting it onto his left foot and firing towards goal.
The ball flew beyond Clark with Gwillim claiming the final touch to deny Knight a superb goal but Longlevens won’t care as they secured a big win, once again, without really having to get into their highest gear.
Goalkeeper Billy Thomas had a rough afternoon on Saturday and he needed a final ten minutes to happen, with the stopper forced into making three really good saves including a superb effort diving to his left to palm over a flick on.
Longlevens will go into Saturday and October’s fixtures full of confidence after breaking a 10 year wait for a home win over Bassett.
Longlevens: Thomas, Emery, Byard, Long, R Williams, Holmes, Beardsell, C Williams, Martin, Knight, Sutherland
Subs: Sherchan, Gwillim, Driscoll, Haswell, Price
Royal Wootton Bassett Town: Clark, Cranswick-Coates, McNally, Sykes, Tombs, Bohane, M Lewis, Hayward, Cleary, Teshome, Hopkins
Subs: O Lewis, King, Anderson, Cook
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Alex Knight (Longlevens)
READ MORE: Check out the list of Saturday’s fixtures in and around Gloucestershire right here
READ MORE: Check out the list of Sunday’s Women’s fixtures in and around Gloucestershire right here
