ROYAL Wootton Bassett manager Paul Braithwaite was unsure whether to re-introduce the ball to this week’s training ahead of their Hellenic League Premier Division clash with Longlevens tomorrow.

After the Gerrard Buxton Sports Ground side were crushed 7-1 at Ardley United, the Bassett chief withdrew the ball from training and made his players do a fitness session.

That seemed to have the desired effect on his squad as they ran out comfortable 3-0 winners against Oxford City Nomads.

“They didn’t touch ball (in training after the Ardley defeat),” Braithwaite said. “They expected to - they were told that they needed to work a lot harder and they had a full-on fitness session.

“They had to learn that the football is an important thing and if they don’t look after it or respect it, then we won’t use them.

“They didn’t have any of the ball at all, but we had every single player - 19 - available for training and then 19 available for Oxford.

“On paper, we now have a stronger squad. We can now play people in their right positions.

"It might have helped us, but we will see.”

The win over Oxford last Saturday saw Bassett keep their first clean sheet since the start of December, but Braithwaite knows that his side will have to be at at their best against their Gloucester-based visitors.

Longlevens currently sit in sixth-place and secured a 3-2 win over Bassett when the two sides met at Sawmills back in October.

“They are a decent side. They are a team that have been together for a long time,” the Bassett boss said.

“They were promoted from Division One West (last season). They know each others’ game. They have got some really good players.

“But we have to work on what we have done, go again, and be up for it.

“It was an interesting game (in October). They scored three 30-yard screamers, but they are very good side, so we will have to be at our best to get something out of it.”

Meanwhile, Highworth Town will be looking to keep their title hopes alive when they welcome second-placed Ascot United.

John Fisher’s Worthians, who are fifth, were without a game last weekend, but ran out 2-0 winners in their previous outing at Abingdon United a fortnight ago.