Bremhill View, 11th November 2006

Despite seeing three leads disappear, Wootton Bassett Town dug deep to upset Toolstation Premier side Calne Town as they won 5-3 on penalties to advance to the next round of the Wilts Senior Cup after the teams were tied at 3-3 after 120 minutes of close, exciting football.

Even though they did concede 3, the Bassett back three put in a strong effort to keep their lively opponents from taking the match.

In the first five minutes, James Lye was involved in two chances for the hosts. An acrobatic volley of his went just over in the third minute before his corner picked out Steve Casey but Adam Miller was able to scoop the header away from the top corner.

Both sides struggled to adapt to the blustery conditions and the only other chance to come out of open play in the first half fell to Calne's Luke Gullick in the 27th minute. After beating Paul Crabtree, Gullick found himself one-on-one with Miller but the 'keeper kept his cool and was able to smother at the striker's feet.

Nine minutes before the break, marathon man Steve Yeardley earned and dispatched a penalty to give Bassett a surprise lead. After a neat one-two with Chris Mills down the left, Yeardley was tripped in the box and was on target once again from 12-yards, placing the ball in the bottom right corner.

Eight minutes into the second period, Lye drilled a 30-yard free kick just over the bar before he found the bar twelve minutes later. Gullick redirected Justin Messenger's ball back across goal and Lye connected with a diving header which bounced into the ground and back out off the woodwork.

Yeardley found himself in the book in the 69th minute for dissent before being replaced by Scott Large as he had run out of steam.

With twelve minutes left a mazy run by Nathan Hall created a chance for a second but his shot was straight at Chris Astley after rounding two defenders.

A minute later Astley pulled off a brilliant save to tip John Davis' cross-shot over after Andy White had held the ball up before squaring to the midfielder on the edge of the box.

With nine to go Matt Messenger grabbed a late equaliser for the hosts after he found himself through on goal from a big Astley boot upfield. Miller couldn't do anything about the goal as the substitute slotted home.

Marcus Neal then replaced Mark King, the youngster making his first team debut, before Nathan Hall was booked for retaliation seconds before the game went into extra time.

After ninety minutes of sturdy defensive play, the game opened up in extra time as four goals were scored during the extra half hour.

Two minutes into the first period, Hall sprinted onto a perfectly placed ball into the corner from Large. Unselfishly, he cut the ball back from the byline for White who coolly placed the ball into the bottom left corner.

The lead lasted all of five minutes though as Gullick caught Bassett out with a quick free kick into the top corner as the visitors were still sorting out their wall.

With three minutes to go in the first period, Crabtree poked home from the edge of the box after Mills' long throw was only half cleared to once again put Bassett ahead.

In the 110th minute, a deep free kick was headed inches wide by an unmarked Craig Gingell as Calne searched for another equaliser.

They got it in the 115th minute thanks to a wonder goal by Gullick. After controlling the ball on the edge of the area with his back to goal, the young forward swivelled and struck a beautiful volley into the top right hand corner of the goal.

Andy Hallett was cautioned for a trip with only a couple of minutes left before Miller brilliantly denied Gullick a third by parrying away at the forward's feet to send the game into penalties.

The sides' first five penalties were dispatched with Lee Beavis, Davis and Marcus Neal finding the back of the net for Bassett when Matt Messenger stepped up to try keep the scores level. His penalty was well struck but an outstretched Miller, diving to his left, turned the ball around the post to give Bassett the edge.

Nathan Hall and White put the next two penalties away for Bassett to ensure a 5-3 victory after a dogged performance.

Scoop's Man of the Match: Andy Hallett – stood out all game as the Bassett defence held strong. Made a couple crucial saving tackles whilst being last man and showed great composure despite the pace Calne had up front.

Scoop Rating: 8/10 – it wasn't the best footballing display Bassett have produced all year but it was arguably the most gritty and resilient one and the win on penalties was much deserved.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 20th September 2020 at 18:32