Flood gates open in first half Bassett horror show (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Flood gates open in first half Bassett horror show

PAUL Burke's wish for snow wasn't answered on Saturday but it rained goals in the first half of Wootton Bassett Town's GLS Challenge Cup clash as Winterbourne United comfortably won 4-1 after taking a 3-0 lead into the break.

The visitors hit the ground running with two goals inside the first five minutes from Scott Cameron.

Darren Andrews was once again provider for the second as he intercepted a poor header from Steve Bunting on the halfway line before cutting the ball back for Cameron to blast into the bottom corner from 15 yards. A looping header from Mark Allen on 22 minutes sent Winterbourne into half-time with a commanding lead and their double threat up front in Cameron and Andrews were rested for the second period.

Bassett were gifted a goal 11 minutes after the restart after Winterbourne keeper Tom Sheppard picked up a pass from his own defender ten yards out. Steve Tucker smashed home from the free-kick to give Bassett a lifeline.

But hopes of a comeback were dashed in the 76th minute when Steve Howse mis-timed a header, allowing substitute Danny Cook to run at Hawkins and easily slot the ball into the bottom corner.

Alan Dyton described his Shrivenham side as woeful as they slumped out of the GLS Challenge Cup.

Dyton's men fell to a 2-0 defeat at home to lower league Harrow Hill and the manager has demanded an immediate improvement ahead of a tough festive programme.

"Our performance was woeful to say the least doing all the wrong things at the wrong times and in the wrong places," he said.

"We knew what to expect from Harrow with commitment and aggression but we never matched them in either department. How we could be so good last week with ten players and then be so bad against lesser opposition and with a full side is just beyond me.

"We play Hungerford in the league on Tuesday (won 3-1) before entering a set of difficult fixtures, starting with Highworth, so we had better get things right, and quickly."

Highworth left it late and twice came from behind to see off Hook Norton. Three late goals from Sean Terry, Nathan Holt and Stuart Bellinger secured a 4-2 win and a place in the second round. Highworth , who lost 2-1 at Carterton on Tuesday) dominated the first half but were a goal down before TJ Bohane restored parity.

The visitors regained the lead before the goal rush in the final 15 minutes. Manager John Fisher said: "We created an awful lot of chances and should have been seven up at half-time.

"We're guilty of not killing sides off at the moment we need someone to help out Corky (Phil Corcoran) with the goals. But at least we're creating chances, that's the important thing."

Fairford are also through after a typically gritty 1-0 win at Shortwood. Lee Stoddart netted the only goal after half an hour.

Meanwhile, youngster Neil Fisher scored both goals as Malmesbury climbed off the bottom of Division One West with a 2-1 win over Clanfield. Purton are now propping everyone up after a 4-0 home defeat at the hands of Letcombe.

Cricklade remain fifth from bottom after a 1-1 draw at home to Headington, Craig Fallon on target.

Cirencester United are in the top half after Phil Hall increased his goal tally in the 1-1 draw with Cheltenham Saracens.