Celebrating Success: North Wilts League U14 Division 2 Runners-Up

Royal Wootton Bassett Town Under 14 Blue enjoyed an outstanding 2024-25 season, losing just one league game as they finished as runners-up in North Wilts League Division Two. Their title challenge with Hungerford Town Juniors Black went down to the wire too, with only a final day draw against Fairford Youth Spitfires depriving Bassett of a share of top spot. Indeed Bassett did not lose against the eventual champions, with both meetings with Hungerford finishing 1-1. After a 2-1 opening day defeat against Lydiard Millicent Juniors, Bassett would go on a 15-game league unbeaten run. A lone Rooney Antwi-Wilson goal got their first three points on the board as Bassett edged out Marlborough Youth Beagles away from home. Lachlan Lye-Owens' hat trick paved the way to a 6-1 victory against Robins before six different scorers netted in a 7-0 triumph at AFC Haydon Vale Eagles. Bassett then drew back-to-back meetings with Hungerford, Corey Cooper scoring to earn an away point before Rudy Iles-Jones was on target at home. À Lawrence Abijo treble helped earn a 5-0 victory at Draycott FC Ignition to seal a return to winning ways before a Cooper brace and Abijo strike delivered revenge against Lydiard as Bassett won by the odd goal in five. That result left Bassett top at Christmas in a wide open, competitive division. Indeed, eventual champions Hungerford found themselves in fifth at the turn of the year. Bassett returned to action with another big win against Draycott FC as Cooper and Felix Garnett netted braces in an 8-0 triumph. The Blues then shared four goals with Stratton Youth - another team in the mix, before romping past Robins 10-0 with eight different scorers finding the net. Bassett separated themselves from the pack with two key wins as February turned to March. Harry Bateman scored twice as Fairford were beaten 4-1 and Iles-Jones scored the only goal of the game away at Stratton. Those results kept Bassett top - three points ahead of Hungerford who had a game in and seven ahead of Fairford. Bassett were then held to a 2-2 draw by mid-table Marlborough. That result allowed Hungerford to pull level as both teams entered their final two games. Both teams won their penultimate fixture, guaranteeing they would finish in the top two. For Bassett, a 4-0 win at home against Haydon Vale made sure of that. Hungerford, meanwhile, edged out third place Lydiard. It all therefore came down to the final day. Hungerford had no problems beating Haydon Vale. But, meaning they had to settle for second, Bassett drew 2-2 with Fairford. Fine margins therefore denied them the title. It was nonetheless a fantastic season for Bassett with their quality and strength in depth shown by the way in which their goals were shared across the team. Leading scorer Cooper finished the campaign with nine league goals with eight other players scoring four or more in the league.