Monday 12th October 2020

Royal Wootton Bassett Town have been handed a home tie against Cornwall-based Camelford in the Buildbase FA Vase First Round. The game is scheduled to take place on Saturday 31 October at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground.

The tie is Bassett's reward for their narrow 1-0 victory away against Stonehouse Town in the Second Qualifying Round.

Camelford, meanwhile, have advanced to this stage courtesy of home wins against Almondsbury (5-1) and Wadebridge Town (0-0, won 6-5 on penalties).

It will be the first ever meeting between the teams – and only Bassett's second ever game against South West Peninsula League opposition. The club's only previous experience against such opponents came in the First Round of the 2001-02 FA Vase – Bassett's first ever entry in the competition – when they hosted St Blazey at Rylands Way in a well-attended game which the visitors won 2-0.

Bassett's opponents that afternoon were a very strong side – and Camelford look set to represent an extremely tough test too. After nine games, they currently sit third in the South West Peninsula League Premier Division West. with nine wins, one draw and only one defeat, while scoring 32 times and only conceding 12 goals.

That represents a significant improvement on their two previous campaigns. In 2018-19, Camelford finished 18th while in 2019-20 they were in mid-table at the point at which the season was abandoned.

The Camels are relative newcomers to the FA Vase, having first entered the competition in 2013-14.

And their journey to the First Round this year matches their best run in the Vase. They first reached this stage of the competition in 2015-16, losing 2-1 away against Odd Down. Then in 2019-20 they lost by the odd goal in three at home against Buckland Athletic, who would eventually reach the Fourth Round.

For Bassett, this season marks only the fifth time they have advanced beyond the qualifying rounds – and only the second time in the past ten seasons that this has been achieved.

A win against Camelford will see Bassett match their best ever Vase run, with Second Round appearances occurring in 2008-09 under Dave Turner and 2017-18 under the management of Rich Hunter.

Last modified on Sunday 25th October 2020 at 10:56.