DAVE Turner reckons the Hellenic League Division One West title race is no simple two-horse race between his side and Brimscombe & Thrupp.

The Gloucestershire league leaders came out on top when they met Bassett for the first time this season at Rylands Way last weekend.

Turner’s men are three points behind Brimscombe with a game in hand and have a six point lead over third-placed Tytherington Rocks but the Bassett boss thinks that there are a few other sides that have a shot at top spot this season.

He said: “I’ve always believed that the most consistent side over 30 games will win the title and I think that there are four or five teams in this division that could win it, not just ourselves and Brimscombe.

“We’re both in good positions but there’s a long way to go yet and there’ll definitely be some shocks along the way.”

Brimscombe took the lead midway through the first half when striker Mike Beckingham produced an ingenious flick to evade Bassett’s Shaun Carter before firing his side ahead.

Shortly afterwards, Lee Pritchard put the visitors 2-0 up when he curled in an effort from the edge of the area.

Town chief Turner said: “I’m never happy to have lost a game but if you’re going to lose then you want it to happen in a game like that.

“It was an absolutely brilliant advert for the league and both sides played the right way.

“We dominated the first 20 minutes or so but I said in the dugout that we needed to score when we were on top, which didn’t happen.

“The flick from their centre-forward for the first goal was excellent and the second goal was good too – but we’re still three points behind them with that game in hand and we’ll carry on chasing them.”

Bassett travel to Westbury United in the second round of the Wiltshire Senior Cup this weekend and welcome back Steve Yeardley from suspension.