ROYAL Wootton Bassett Town manager Sam Collier hailed a “great performance” from his side last weekend despite suffering a 1-0 defeat to Binfield in the Hellenic League Premier Division.

Binfield’s Sean Moore struck just after the hour to ensure the visitors left with all three points and Bassett were consigned to their fifth league defeat of the season.

But after a tricky start to the season in which – by the manager’s own admissions – Bassett were conceding too many goals, Collier felt his team performed admirably when defending their own goal on Saturday.

Collier admitted he felt sorry for his players after one lapse in judgement meant the different between the two sides at the Gerard Buxton Sport Ground.

He said: “I thought it would be quite a scrappy game because of the weather and the wind, but the pitch was magnificent, and I thought it was a great performance from us.

“We played very well, but it was just one error between the midfield and the defence that ended up giving them the chance to sneak one in.

Other than that, they didn’t have any other chances. We worked hard and created lots of things, but unfortunately we didn’t get the rub of the green on Saturday – these things happen.

“Binfield are a decent side, certainly. They will be in the top three or four come the end of the season with the players and the money that they’ve got, I’m sure.

“But apart from the goal, they didn’t cause any real problems. Our back four and the midfield were outstanding defensively.

“I felt a bit bad for the lads afterwards because we didn’t get anything out of the game and we certainly deserved to get something out of it.”

Bassett were due back in action on Tuesday night away at Shrivenham.

Collier’s side are at home to Brackley Town Saints on Saturday before travelling to Fairford Town on Tuesday night.

In Division One West, Malmesbury Victoria had no game at the weekend but were away at Swindon New College on Monday night romped to an emphatic 10-0 victory.

Sam Parker led the way with a hat-trick, Shannon Pocock got two, and there was a goal each for Andy Baker, Kyle Witt, Joe Tranter, Aaron Stevens and Ant Brown.

The Vics hosts Hereford Lads Club on Saturday and then Cirencester Town Development on Tuesday night.

  • PEWSEY Vale were without a game in Sydenhams League Division One last weekend, denying them the chance to follow up their first victory of the season seven days earlier.

Vale are at home to Hythe & Dibden on Saturday.