Sarum Seniors welcomed Wootton Bassett to Castle meadows on Saturday for their first home game of the season and stretched there unbeaten run to three games with a great performance and especially from the 16yr old Jake Rawkins who netted both goals to secure all three points.
Wootton actually started the game the better side as Sarum were slow to start. A couple of half chances for the away side seemed to wake Sarum up as they started to get a grip on the game. Jake Rawkins left defenders in his wake bursting down the left and cutting in but shot just wide. Frankie Kerry should have scored but volleyed over the bar and had another shot cleared off the line. Dan Paddington also fired a great shot which forced the keeper into a fine save. Ten mins before half time against the run of play Wootton took a surprise lead with a long shot that flew over Chris Brown in the Youth goal. Sarum looked a bit rattled up til half time and frustrated they had reached the break behind.
Sarum management stressed the need for patience at half time and the young players took this on board and Sarum grabbed complete control of the game in the second half. It was surely only a matter of time as Sarums young legs were too much for the away side who found it hard to get out of their own half. More chances were created especially from the young wingers Jake Rawkins and Sam Howe whose pace was causing havoc. Rawkins pulled a ball back for Paddington but his shot was cleared off the line. Marcus Giddings then somehow missed a free header from a yard out and Sam Revels thunderbolt of a strike was well saved. Sarum continued to press and it was finally Jake Rawkins who sprinted thru past two defenders to slot the ball home under the keeper to equalise. It was now all Sarum who pushed and pushed for the winner in the last fifteen mins but as more chances passed it looked like time was running out. With two mins left Howe was brought down just outside the box by the last defender. Jake Rawkins stepped up and whipped a fantastic left footed strike right into the top corner amidst great celebrations for the little man.
Sarum saw out the last minute with ease and got the win that they thoroughly deserved.
Rawkins..... “ Really pleased with the three points and the performance today. The boys played with tremendous tempo which was too much for Wootton as we bossed the game completely after the first ten mins. They needed to be patient and play their own game which eventually paid off but we do need to be more clinical in front of goal as we should have been out of sight in the second half. We lost to Wootton four times last year so it again shows just how much they are improving still and with the next batch of 16yr olds joining the squad this year the future looks bright as the boys have made a great start to life in the Wilts Premier league.
