Monday 25th August 2025
Saturday's tie against Torpoint Athletic at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground represents Royal Wootton Bassett Town's sixth in the FA Cup first qualifying round.
The previous five - which can be read about below - have produced plenty of drama with two glorious victories, two replay defeats and a further high-scoring loss.
Whatever outcome is in store against Torpoint, it promises to be an exciting tie - with the winners due to make history.
Paul Burke was the first manager to guide Bassett to the FA Cup first qualifying round thanks to a pair of 2-1 upset wins against Highworth Town (in a replay) and then-Southern League Bracknell Town.
Those victories set up a tie against Wessex League Premier Division Brockenhurst - which would deliver 180 eventful minutes of cup football.
The original tie took place in the New Forest - and Bassett started brightly in what would be an end-to-end affair, taking an early lead through John Magani. Bassett had the opportunity to extend their lead before the break but were unable to - and the hosts hit back in the second half to force a replay at Rylands Way.
That would prove to be a case of a game too far for Bassett. Brockenhurst struck four times in the space of six first half minutes to all but seal their place in the second qualifying round. Dennis King pulled one back for Bassett shortly after the restart, but the Badgers later restored their four goal advantage as they won 5-1.
Dave Turner was the next manager to guide Bassett to the first qualifying round, doing so in 2010-11 after a dramatic home victory on penalties against Bradford Town (following a 1-1 draw in the initial tie and 3-3 draw after extra time in the replay) and a narrow 1-0 triumph away at Almondsbury UWE.
Like in 2007-08, Bassett were handed an away date against Wessex League Premier Division opponents in the form of Hamble ASSC. And again the game would go to a replay after Jon Beeden's second half equaliser from the penalty spot saw the initial tie finish 1-1.
In a tight, tense replay at Rylands Way, Hamble's clinical finishing proved the difference as they scored a goal in either half to win 2-0 as they eventually advanced to the third qualifying round.
Bassett didn't have to wait long until their next trip to the first qualifying round as Turner's team recorded a 4-2 victory against Calne Town and 1-0 triumph against Hamworthy United in Friday night fixtures at Rylands Way.
They set up a tantalising Friday night tie at home against near neighbours Highworth Town - with Bassett setting history.
Bassett gambled by playing with three at the back - and fell behind early. But the hosts stuck to their plan and were rewarded. Steve Yeardley equalised before the interval. Matt Bown then scored from the spot just after the hour and Mark Barnes sealed the 3-1 win with quarter of an hour to go.
Bassett were into the second qualifying round for the first time ever - earning a trip to Conference South side Dorchester Town as the reward for a memorable run in the club's final season at Rylands Way.
Bassett failed to advance beyond the preliminary round in each of the next seven seasons.
But Bassett ended that run in style in the Covid-impacted campaign of 2020-21. Sam Collier's side battled their way past Chipping Sodbury Town on penalties after a 2-2 draw before stunning Southern League Didcot Town with a 2-1 away victory.
The first qualifying round paired Bassett with another Southern League opponent in the form of Cinderford Town. Cinderford had home advantage and looked odds on to advance as they led 2-0 after 50 minutes. But TJ Bohane got Bassett back into the game before Jack Baker scored a last minute equaliser to force penalties. And in the shootout Bassett held their nerve to prevail 6-5.
National League South Oxford City were next up in the second qualifying round - and Bassett almost caused another major upset, taking the lead only to lose 2-1 in a valiant effort.
Bassett's most recent first qualifying round date came three years ago. Collier's side overcame Windsor 2-0 in a replay after an initial 1-1 draw at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground before seeing off Reading City 3-1 at home.
That earned a home date against Southern League Paulton Rovers. Bassett were more than a match for their opponents and led through Tommy Ouldridge as he swept home a rebound after Chris Taylor's penalty was saved.
However Paulton quickly equalised. The visitors then scored twice in quick succession in the second half. And, while Luke Whelan pulled one back, Paulton put the game away with a third second half goal from a set piece as they won 4-2.
That brings Bassett to their latest first qualifying round clash against Torpoint.
In his first season in charge with a young, talented yet inexperienced team, Jonny Aitkenhead has impressively guided Bassett past Lydney Town (winning 3-0 in a replay after a 3-3 draw) and Amersham Town (3-1).
Here's hoping Bassett can now make it three wins from six at this stage of the oldest and greatest domestic cup competition.
Historical details of Royal Wootton Bassett Town's participation in various national cup competitions are available in the history section of our website.
For each competition, details of all results are listed, as well as - where information is available - line-ups and match reports.
See the following pages for details:
Last modified on Monday 25th August 2025 at 22:52.