Wednesday 14th August 2024

Four seasons ago Royal Wootton Bassett Town pulled off an Emirates FA Cup preliminary round shock, winning 2-1 away at Southern League Didcot Town.

This weekend Bassett will be seeking to do exactly the same - this time with the benefit of home advantage as the Railwaymen visit the Sustain Stadium for what promises to be another entertaining tie.

Kick off is 3pm, while admission is £8 for adults and £5 concessions.

As the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground site is due to be very busy on Saturday, those wishing to attend are advised to either walk to the ground, car share or use public transport if possible.

A win for Bassett will see them reach the first qualifying round for the first time since beating Didcot back in 2020-21 - and that year Sam Collier's team would go on to advance to the second qualifying round where they lost narrowly to National League South Oxford City.

Like last time they met though, Bassett will have to be fully at their best to have any prospect of advancing, with Didcot one of the teams fancied to do well in Southern League Division One South having been relegated from step three last season.

Didcot will be visiting Bassett for the first time since January 2005 when they triumphed 5-0 in a Hellenic League Premier Division fixture at Rylands Way.

Bassett's last home win against Didcot was way back in October 2001 when, under the guidance of Pete Yeardley, Bassett triumphed 4-2. Current Development team manager Mark Simpkins was on the scoresheet that night, as was Stuart Lamont - who netted twice - and Garth Walsh.

This Saturday Simpkins will be in dugout for the Development team's Wiltshire League Premier Division visit to Faringdon Town - last season's Division One champions - in what should be an intriguing contest on Saturday (3pm kick off).

Last modified on Wednesday 14th August 2024 at 19:53.