Rylands Way, 4th November 2006

Andy White scored and set up a goal as Wootton Bassett Town eased to a 4-2 victory over Headington Amateurs in the preliminary round of the Challenge Cup, setting up a tie against high flying Premier Division side Slimbridge.

White opened the scoring in the 3rd minute. A long Adam Miller kicked bounced over the Headington defence before White wrestled the ball away from the last man and he got his first in Bassett colours as he slotted home from 15 yards.

The lead was doubled in the ninth minute after Nathan Hall took a tumble in the box, earning a penalty which Stu Hemsley just put away after Nick Butcher got a hand to the ball.

Miller almost added a second assist in the 13th minute when his boot upfield was helped on by Hall to the feet of Matty Bennett. The midfielder tried to lob Butcher but the 'keeper tipped the ball wide.

Butcher pulled off another dramatic save four minutes later to keep out a Hemsley free kick before James Gray was booked for handball.

Headington then had a brief run of chances as they looked to get back in the game before the break. On the half hour, Jason Maciak forced a diving save from Miller after Matthew Phillips squared to him.

Scott Large replaced an injured Hemsley before Jay Hill struck wide from the edge of the box after Lee Beavis had misjudged a clearance.

Hall had a great opportunity to add a third eight minutes before the break when he found himself on the end of a perfectly placed Bennett cross but he failed to connect properly with the ball from ten yards out and headed wide.

A minute later Miller was forced to tip Nick Bayliss' 18 yard effort around the post after the Headington captain had outstrengthed Large.

The final few minutes of the opening half saw a number of late challenges and both Chris Mills and Steve Bell were cautioned in injury time for clashing after a Bell foul.

Bassett started the second half on the back foot as Beavis did brilliantly to keep Chris Baker's header from going in on 50 minutes, backheeling the ball over the bar after Matthew Cook's corner.

Bassett then made a double change just after the hour, as an old face returned to Rylands Way, with Jeremy Newton replacing Jon Davis whilst Mark King was brought on for Hall.

Miller made another fine reflex save in the 66th minute when he pounced on James Green's shot at the front post.

Two minutes later Newton instigated the move that resulted in Bassett grabbing a third. The winger played the ball into the right corner, which White ran onto before the forward pulled the ball back for Mills on the edge. Mills' chipped shot looped over Butcher's head to finish off a swift move.

Bennett volleyed wide after good work by King to fend off a tackle with twenty to go.

That would have killed the game off but Headington were able to get back in it when Cook's corner was turned in by an unmarked Maciak from ten yards.

With nine minutes left substitute James Murray broke away from the Bassett defence but Miller bravely smothered the ball at his feet to deny the visitors a second in quick succession.

King then earned Bassett a second penalty in the 83rd minute as he was brought down; Beavis coolly slotted home from 12 yards to put a seal on the game.

The scoring was finished off in injury time as Cook scored from the penalty spot after a Rich Gee foul.

Scoop's Man of the Match: Lee Beavis – brilliant all game, making much needed saving tackles and he didn't put a foot wrong.

Scoop Rating: 7/10 – Conceded two cheap goals but both came at times when Bassett held a comfortable lead. Bassett were clinical in front of goal and defended well all game, totally outclassing their opposition.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 20th September 2020 at 18:28