When the news came through that Longlevens' Saw Mills End ground had passed its morning pitch inspection, Sam Collier was not the happiest.
Short on numbers, the Royal Wootton Bassett Town boss half hoped that the inclement weather would afford his team an afternoon off.
That was especially the case given that Bassett's trip to Longlevens represented a potential trap game. Although languishing in the bottom third of the Hellenic League Premier Division table, the Gloucester-based side had been a tough nut to crack in recent weeks, drawing with Corsham Town while suffering single goal defeats against playoff candidates Highworth Town and Mangotsfield United. They had also won their last two in the league away at Slimbridge and Thornbury Town.
Alas, it was game on with the Bassett boss giving assistant Alan Griffin a start such were his selection issues.
Come full time, however, Collier was a happy man as his side ground out an important 2-0 victory.
After a goalless first half, leading scorer Alfie Presley - who else - struck the decisive first blow, converting from the penalty spot for his 19th goal so far this season.
Bassett then doubled their advantage late on. The identity of the scorer is disputed, though Ollie Case will claim the goal. Bassett's player of the match delivered a cross that found its way into the net, seemingly with the help of a deflection off a home defender.
Whether a Case goal or an own goal, it sealed victory.
And on a day when fellow playoff hopefuls Roman Glass St George, Sporting Club Inkberrow, Highworth, Fairford Town, Worcester Raiders and Westfields all won, it was a potentially important victory too.
Bassett now head into a busy - and testing - Christmas period on the right foot.
And Collier will no doubt be pleased that a day when he initially would have preferred to be Christmas shopping ended with three big points in the bag.
