ROYAL Wootton Bassett were left licking their wounds this week after suffering two heavy defeats on the spin.

Paul Braithwaite’s side were dispatched 3-0 by Hellenic League Premier Division reigning champions Flackwell Heath on Saturday and they fared no better at high-flying Highmoor Ibis on Monday evening, slipping to a 4-0 loss.

Justin Forde, Austin Best, Harrison Bayley and Ricardo Catlyn all netted to heap misery on Bassett in Reading.

On Saturday, Braithwaite’s troops were more than a match for Flackwell in the first half before a dominant second 45 minutes from the defending champions saw them convincingly defeated.

While the margin of defeat was not as emphatic as the 7-2 thrashing they suffered back in August, Bassett were again left to ask questions as to how they let things slip, after an opening period in which Flackwell did not threaten.

Admittedly this was a game in which Flackwell were favourites but in the game’s embryonic stages there was really little between the teams.

However, within four minutes of the restart the visitors were ahead, Dan Burnell slotting in after an innovative free-kick was played down the side to him.

The visitors didn’t wait long to double their advantage as Mitchell Woodward thrashed a stunning long-range drive into the top corner.

To this, Bassett - without the injured Steve Robertson - had no answer as they struggled to create much.

Flackwell were therefore able to cruise towards the final whistle and add a third through Burnell as he headed in from a corner.

Braithwaite’s men have now lost their last three Premier Division outings and will have to wait until Saturday, November 14 for their next taste of league action. Bassett’s next game is away to Tytherington Rocks in the second round of the floodlit cup on Wednesday, November 4.