Friday 3rd July 2026
Draws for the early rounds of the 2026-27 Emirates FA Cup and Isuzu FA Vase have now been released. And for Royal Wootton Bassett Town tough opponents who Bassett have never faced before await at the first hurdle of both competitions.
Previews of who Bassett are set to face in these two prestigious national competitions are detailed below.
Emirates FA Cup
Bassett have enjoyed significant FA Cup success in the past eight seasons, exiting just twice in the extra preliminary round (2019-20 and 2023-24), while advancing to at least the first qualifying round on three occasions.
Last season was a particular success with convincing home wins against Lydney Town (in a replay) and Amersham Town seeing Jonny Aitkenhead's young side impressively advance to the first qualifying round. A record equalling run was then within reach too as Bassett led Torpoint Athletic only to see their Cornish visitors turn the tie around to win 3-1.
To get that far again this year, Bassett will first have to overcome step four opponents in the form of Winslow United before beating Hellenic League Premier Division rivals in the form of either Malmesbury Victoria or Longlevens.
A breakdown of Bassett's opponents is here.
Extra preliminary round vs Winslow United (Home) - Saturday 8 August
Who are they?
Southern League Division One Central (step four) newcomers who will travel from Buckinghamshire for their first ever meeting with Bassett.
How did they do last season?
Promoted to step four as Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division playoff winners in only their second season at step five.
Cup pedigree:
In five previous FA Cup participations, Winslow have advanced beyond the extra preliminary round just once, reaching the preliminary round in 2020-21. Three previous ties against Hellenic League opponents all ended in defeat.
Winslow did reach the FA Vase second round last year.
Preliminary round vs Malmesbury Victoria or Longlevens (Home) - Saturday 22 August
Who are they?
Bassett's Hellenic League Premier Division rivals - with Malmesbury also representing Wiltshire rivals.
How did they do last season?
Malmesburh were promoted as Hellenic League Division One playoff winners while Longlevens finished 11th in the Premier Division.
Cup pedigree:
Longlevens reached the second qualifying round in 2021-22, having reached the first qualifying round two seasons earlier. They beat Winslow in the extra preliminary round two seasons ago, though exited at the first hurdle last season.
Bassett met Levens in the FA Vase second round in 2023-24 with Bassett winning 2-1.
Malmesbury are entering the FA Cup for just the third time - and are yet to record a win in the competition.
Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round: Royal Wootton Bassett Town v Winslow United (Saturday 8 August)
Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round: Royal Wootton Bassett Town or Winslow United v Malmesbury Victoria or Longlevens (Saturday 22 August)
Isuzu FA Vase
Bassett were in unfamiliar territory in last season's FA Vase as they returned to the qualifying rounds for the first time since 2021-22. And Bassett's time in the competition didn't last long as they suffered an agonising penalties defeat away at league rivals Cinderford Town following a thrilling 3-3 draw.
That means another season having to negotiate the lottery of the Vase's early rounds.
The draw for the early rounds see Bassett at the first qualifying round stage, with an away tie against Brislington. The reward for the winners is a home clash with step six Sharpness.
A breakdown of Bassett's opponents is here.
First qualifying round vs Brislington (Away) - Saturday 15 August
Who are they?
Bristol-based Western League Premier Division outfit who the Men's First Team have never met before (though Bassett's Under 18s did previously face Brislington in the 2004-05 FA Youth Cup).
How did they do last season?
Brislington finished second from bottom in the Western League Premier Division and fell at the first hurdle in both the FA Cup and Vase.
Cup pedigree:
Brislington reached the fourth round of the Vase in 2004-05 and made the fourth - and final - qualifying round of the FA Cup in 2014-15.
2014-15 was also the last time though that they have advanced beyond the qualifying rounds of the Vase, with a second qualifying round defeat against Bassett's Hellenic rivals Thornbury Town last season.
Second qualifying round vs Sharpness (Home) - Saturday 12 September
Who are they?
Gloucestershire side, who Bassett have never faced in competitive action, returning to the Hellenic League and FA Vase for the first time in 36 years (since 1989-90).
How did they do last season?
Sharpness finished as champions of the Gloucestershire County League, seven points clear of Filton Athletic, to earn promotion to step six.
Cup pedigree:
Sharpness enjoyed significant Vase success in the 1980s. They reached the fifth round in 1984-85. A year later - when Sharpness also won the Hellenic League Premier Division - they advanced to the fourth round of the Vase where they lost to Stevenage Borough (now in the EFL).
Isuzu FA Vase First Qualifying Round: Brislington v Royal Wootton Bassett Town (Saturday 15 August)
Isuzu FA Vase Second Qualifying Round: Brislington or Royal Wootton Bassett Town v Sharpness (Saturday 12 September)
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Historical details of Royal Wootton Bassett Town's participation in all national cup competitions in which it has competed 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 Friday 3rd July 2026 at 14:43.