Monday 7th April 2025

Royal Wootton Bassett Town and Men's First Team manager Sam Collier know they will be bidding farewell to one another soon enough.

But both parties will be hoping to delay when that happens as Bassett take on Worcester Raiders in a Marsh Hellenic League Challenge Cup semi final on Saturday (Sustain Stadium, 3pm kick off).

With Bassett's league campaign complete, a defeat on Saturday will spend the end of the 2024-25 season.

Victory, however, will give Bassett and Collier one more game, and importantly give the outgoing boss a shot at silverware - the only thing missing from his resumé after seven and a half years in charge.

To get to the final Bassett will have to defeat a Raiders side who they have beaten just once in six previous competitive meetings. This year's league encounters saw Raiders win 2-1 in Worcester before a 1-1 draw at the Sustain Stadium in February.

In the Challenge Cup, Raiders have performed strongly in each of the three preceding rounds, thumping Kidlington Reserves 4-1 and Hereford Pegasus 4-0 before an impressive 2-0 win at Fairford Town in their quarter final last week.

Bassett have arguably yet to produce their best in the competition. They beat Watlington Town 2-0 when entering at the third round stage before almost throwing away a 4-0 lead in an eventual 4-3 victory at Longlevens. In their quarter final against Clanfield, Bassett trailed at the break before coming back to win 4-1.

Hopefully though it's the case that Bassett and Collier have saved their best for last.

If they do win, Bassett will have reached the first cup final for the Men's First Team since 2001-02. What a stage that would be for Collier to finally say goodbye, with Hartpury University or Pershore lying in wait.

Admission on Saturday is £8 for adults, £5 for concessions and free for RWBTFC youth members.

Please do come along and show your support and gratitude for everything Sam Collier and his assistant Alan Griffin have achieved!

Last modified on Monday 7th April 2025 at 20:25.