WOOTTON Bassett’s assistant manager Drew Youngsam thinks Jason Milhench has been instrumental in helping turn around Bassett’s season.

Bassett were staring at a relegation battle in late November but a strong run of nine league games without a defeat has lifted them up the Hellenic Premier league table.

Youngsam credits winger Milhench with a big role in elevating Bassett and has been impressed with his recent displays.

“He’s made a difference,” he said. “His vision, crossing and pace intimidates a lot of full backs. He’s got three or four goals, he would have got more playing through the middle but we prefer him out wide because of pace and his crossing.”

“To be honest, because we’re a new side we knew it would take a while to get going. Since November we’ve really turned a corner.”

Pace down the flanks and balls into the box may have been widely derided following Manchester United’s 80 cross effort against Fulham on Sunday but Youngsam think it’s the best way forward for Bassett due to the fact they boast Milhench and Levi Cox.

“We’re hoping Levi Cox, who scored against Ascot last time, can do the same again or provide the delivery for our strikers,” he said.

Youngsam is confident that Bassett can keep their run going against fourth-placed Ascot who visit The Corinium on Saturday as long as the rain doesn’t cause further disruption.

“We’ve got a lot of confidence to be fair, we’ve been performing really well of late, having not lost in eight or nine games.”

“We’ve got everyone available and fit, which is a nice problem to have for me and Jeff (Roberts), and the boys know they’ve got to perform.”

Back in September Bassett managed a draw at the Racecourse Ground and this time out Youngsam thinks they may come away with all three points “I believe we were unlucky last time out against Ascot, with the squad as strong as it is now and with everyone back plus some good new players, we think if the games on we’ve got a good chance of getting a result.

“I believe we’re looking up, it’s showed in our performances. We’re looking to push further and further up the league although I don’t want to guarantee anything as results are hard to come by in the Hellenic Premier.”

Elsewhere in the division, John Fisher’s Highworth go to Bracknell.