Tuesday 20th July 2021
Provisional fixtures for the 2021-22 Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division have been released. For full details of Royal Wootton Bassett Town's fixtures, please visit the First Team fixtures page here.
August schedule
Bassett's season will begin with a trip to familiar opposition in the form of Bishop's Cleeve (Tuesday 3 August, 7.45pm kick off). Following the restructure of the National League System, the Gloucester-based side represent the current Hellenic League Premier Division opponents who Bassett have faced more times than any other.
While contests between the sides have been relatively evenly matched overall (with nine wins for Bassett, eleven for Bishop's Cleeve and seven draws), Bassett have fared rather poorly when visiting Kayte Lane. Indeed, Bassett's last win there came in 1999.
The most recent visit in August 2018 ended in a 5-1 defeat, though the last time the teams met - at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground in February 2020 - did see Collier's side record a 3-0 win.
After that fixture, Bassett are due to face two sides they have never met before, beginning with the trip to Thornbury Town in the Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary round on Saturday 10 August (3pm kick off).
On Tuesday 10 August (7.45pm) they will then host Roman Glass St George, though this fixture is dependent on neither side requiring a replay in the FA Cup.
Four days later on 14 August Bassett are set to travel to Chipping Sodbury Town (3pm kick off) - another Hellenic League newcomer. This will be the first competitive league meeting between the sides, though Bassett did triumph on penalties against the Sods when they met in the 2020-21 FA Cup.
A second consecutive away game is then due to follow as Bassett visit Lydney Town on Tuesday 21 August (7.45pm kick off). Lydney are a side who Bassett have plenty of recent history with, though they only met once in the two pandemic-shortened seasons, with the Severnsiders prevailing 2-1 in Gloucestershire in February 2020.
Should Bassett have defeated Thornbury earlier in the month, they will then welcome either Ardley United or Ashton and Backwell United in the Emirates FA Cup Preliminary round on Saturday 24 August (3pm kick off). Failure to progress will potentially see a league fixture scheduled here.
The month is then due to finish with consecutive home games followed by an away derby.
Brimscombe and Thrupp are set to visit Bassett on Tuesday 24 August (7.45pm kick off). Again this fixture is dependent upon both teams' progress in the FA Cup.
Should it go ahead though, it is set to be a tight, entertaining encounter in line with the sides' previous battles against one another. Indeed, the current head-to-head battle is a tight one, with Bassett having recorded eight wins, Brimscombe seven and a further four games ending all square in league contests against one another; the teams also split their Hellenic League Challenge Cup group stage meetings in 2020-21.
Then Bank Holiday weekend will see Hereford Lads Club visit the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground on Saturday 28 August (3pm kick off). Promoted from Hellenic League Division One West, the Lads Club will be looking to make an immediate impression as they return to step five football. This will be the second meeting between the sides, the Hereford side having won 3-1 in a Hellenic League Challenge Cup fixture back in September 2019.
Then on Monday 30 August, Bassett are set to make the short trip to local rivals Shrivenham (3pm kick off). And Collier's side will be hoping to end a run of four straight defeats against their near neighbours when they meet.
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As mentioned, all fixtures are subject to change. Supporters and anyone else interested in attending are therefore advised to regularly visit the club's website for the latest schedule.
Entry prices for home games at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground will be £6 for adults and £3 for concessions. RWBTFC youth members are entitled to free entry as well as discounts on hot food purchased from the stadium kiosk.
Last modified on Tuesday 20th July 2021 at 15:38.
