RICH Hunter believes there are plenty of positives his Royal Wootton Bassett Town side can take following their 3-0 home defeat to Thatcham Town in Hellenic League Premier Division.

The Gerard Buxton Sports Ground boss, who celebrated a year in charge over the Bank Holiday weekend, feels his team managed to compete with their high-flying visitors for the best part of an hour.

However, a 10-minute lapse in concentration saw Thatcham score three quick goals, with Josh Helmore, Shane Cooper-Clarke and Joe Blunt putting the game to bed by the 70th minute.

“When we put things together, we look good,” Hunter said. “But we can’t afford to switch off like we did.

“There are positives for us to take, but there are things for us to work on as well.”

Bassett will get a chance to put things right tomorrow afternoon when they make the short trip to Highworth Town.

“That was my first game in charge last year – a 3-3 draw – it was a good game,” added Hunter, who has brought in former Shrivenham player-manager Sam Collier as well as ex-Highworth man Rory Sproule and England schoolboy international goalkeeper Dan Lawrence over the last couple of weeks.

“It is a massive game for us, it is a derby and all the boys will be switched on.”

Highworth go into the match on the back of their fourth win of the season, which keeps them at the top of the table with an unblemished record.

The Worthians claimed a 1-0 success over Brackley Town Saints courtesy of Callum Parsons’ 17th minute strike.

Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Fairford Town were denied all three points on their trip to Windsor by former Jamaican international and Fulham striker Barry Hayles.

Lee Smith opened the scoring for the Cinder Lane side, who travel to Abingdon United tomorrow, in the 74th minute before the ex-Premier League hitman struck with three minutes left on the clock.

In Division One West, New College assistant manager Matt Cosnett is hoping that the 8-2 defeat his students suffered to table-topping Ardley United won’t knock their confidence too much.

Tom Johnston grabbed both of College’s goals at Supermarine but they were punished for their errors.

“It’s been a tough start for the boys and we said to them after the game that teams like Ardley have got the senior players to get them through,” Cosnett said.

“It is tough for them, but if they stick together, try and cut out the errors, then they will be okay.”

Shrivenham picked up their first win of the season thanks to Chris Rivers’ second-half strike settling matters at Headington Amateurs.