Saturday 3rd September 2016

Royal Wootton Bassett Town have been a handed a home tie against near neighbours Purton in the Wiltshire Senior Cup first round.

The game against the Hellenic League Division One West Reds will take place on Wednesday 12th October (7.45pm kick off).

Bassett, two-time winners and three-time runners-up in the Senior Cup, have reached the quarter finals in each of the past two instalments of the County's premier cup competition.

Always a target at the beginning of the season, they will be aiming to at least make the next step this year.

However, with Southern League sides Chippenham Town, Swindon Supermarine and Salisbury all entering teams after the dissolution of the Wiltshire Premier Shield, this year's Senior Cup is set to be even more hotly contested.

Bassett's advance to the last eight in the past two seasons has arguably been assisted by some relatively generous pairings in the opening rounds. In 2014-15, they eliminated County League Malmesbury Victoria and Wroughton to reach the quarter finals, before opening up against Ludgershall Sports last season.

However, this year - against a Purton side plying their trade just one division below - will be different.

Bassett's Hellenic League Premier Division status does mean they will go into the game as favourites, but there can be no excuse for complacency when the teams meet.

Purton have taken four points from the opening four league games in this campaign, their lone victory coming in a mind-boggling 9-6 triumph away at North Leigh Reserves.

Seven times winners of the Senior Cup, including a 1-0 triumph over Bassett in the 1987-88 showpiece, Purton were knocked out in the opening round of the competition by Calne Town last season. They made the semi-finals in 2013-14 and the quarter finals in 2010-11.

Purton's last appearance in the final came in the 1999-2000 campaign when they lost after extra time against Pewsey Vale.

The last Senior Cup clash between Bassett and Purton came in the quarter finals of the 2000-01 edition. Played at Rylands Way, Bassett triumphed 4-1 after extra time thanks to a Lee Stoddart brace and further strikes from Paul Davis and Jon Davis. They would go on to win the cup, defeating Shrewton United in the final.

In recent years, Bassett have held the upper hand over Purton in league contests, with five wins, one draw and just two defeats in the last eight games against the Red House outfit.

Last modified on Saturday 3rd September 2016 at 15:01.