ROYAL Wootton Bassett Town manager Sam Collier hopes to extend his side’s excellent home form until the end of the season to ensure a top-10 finish in the Hellenic League Premier Division.

Bassett have triumphed in 10 of 15 league games played at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground this season – only the top two of Brimscombe & Thrupp and Wantage Town have won more times in front of their own fans.

However, life on the road has been a struggle and the two away wins for Collier’s side is the lowest in the division this term.

Three of Bassett’s final four fixtures are on home turf – starting against Ascot United on Saturday – and Collier is optimistic that will enable his troops to improve upon their current position of ninth before the season is out.

“We are confident of beating anyone at home with the form we have shown there,” said Collier, ahead of the first match at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground since February 16.

“Our home form has been really good and if our away form had matched that, we’d have won the league this season.

“Our first game in March was against Ascot too, so we know it will be a tough test. It was a good game – a 1-1 draw.

“We know a bit more about them and what they have to offer. They are fifth in the table and will want to finish as high as they can.

“But we like to take the game to teams, and the surface we have got at home allows us to get the ball down and have a go.

“There is no pressure on us as we know we are not going to go up or down this season.

“We will just enjoy the last four games – three of which are at home, which will hopefully mean some good results.”

Collier hopes to be able to hand Sam Packer a first start of the season against Ascot following his recovery after a long lay-off.

“Sam has been a really good club player for the last four years or so,” said Collier.

“He broke his foot towards the end of last season and had to have an operation and hasn’t played since.

“He has trained really hard and will be in the squad this weekend, which is a huge boost for me, the club and the lad. He’s by far one of the best players at the club.”

Elsewhere, Shrivenham will seek to extend their unbeaten league run to a 15th game when they host Ardley United.

Gareth Davies’ side have not tasted defeat in the league since November 10.

Fairford Town return to league action after a three-week absence when they welcome Binfield to Cinder Lane.

In Division One West, second-placed Malmesbury Victoria are at home to Tytherington Rocks, while Swindon New College are without a game this weekend.