Corinium Stadium, 17th August 2013
History won't be repeating itself this season as Wootton Bassett Town were eliminated in the FA Cup at the first hurdle as Totton and Eling comfortably prevailed 2-0 in an action starved Extra Preliminary round contest.
Two goals in ten minutes shortly after the restart put paid to Bassett's hopes. However, with the lack of chances Jeff Roberts' team were able to create throughout the game, progress always appeared as if it would have been more likely to come in a replay had the hosts been able to hold out for a draw.
The only notable openings Bassett created both came in stoppage time with the game's result already virtually decided. Both fell to Lee Stevens, who had been shifted from centre half to centre forward in the final quarter of an hour to try and salvage something.
He was first presented with a fantastic opportunity courtesy of Liam Edmondson's pin-point long ball, but Stevens, in behind the defence, failed to connect properly with his attempted lob and gave Tony Harrop a simple save to make. Moments later, he met an Adam Corcoran cross with a towering header, but saw his effort wind up sailing a matter of inches the wrong side of the post.
For the majority Bassett had struggled to test the Totton backline. Operating with just Shaun Terry up front in the first half, and with wide man Tyler Sheppard forced off with an injury just ten minutes in, the home side saw the ball constantly thrown back at them as attempts to establish a presence in the opposition final third were brief affairs.
That description of affairs would suggest Totton dominated. Yet that was not the case. Shots on goal were few and far between for them too. When those opportunities did emerge though, they were often a result of Bassett being guilty of overplaying at the back and turning the ball over in dangerous areas.
That was the case on nine minutes when Adam Lowther made an interception before playing a give and go with the probing Beng'yela Ngwa and firing weakly at Luke Kuczynski.
More was demanded of Kuczynski when Steve Marwood sent in a low, testing free kick midway through the opening period. And the home ‘keeper did excellently, reading an awkward bounce of the ball and parrying wide at the right post.
He did well again when Lowther threaded a pass to Ngwa after Craig Kent was less than accurate with a pass, saving at the striker's feet. Then, on the stroke of half time, a Shaun Carter block diverted Ngwa's shot from a tight angle to safety after the visitors' dangerman had shrugged off the attention of Stevens.
Following the restart Bassett sought to alter things, sending on youngster Kalum Youngsam from Terry and shifting to two up front, Kyle Rigley being moved to play alongside him.
Yet a similar story to that in the first would play out and on fifty minutes Totton struck. Holding play up, Ngwa sent a ball into the right corner for Jon Brock to chase, and he delivered a teasing cross which the Swindon-based Joey Herbert confidently swept home with a first time half volley.
Their lead was almost immediately doubled, but Kuczynski was able to tip Jamie Feasey's powerful header over.
It didn't take much longer for that to happen though. On the hour Sam Ockwell had his pocket picked 25 yards from his own goal and Lowther stroked Ngwa's through ball past Kuczynski into the bottom left corner.
And the two goal advantage was safe, the only threat Bassett could muster coming with moments to play.
Man of the Match: Sam Packer - making his return to first team action after two seasons spent in the Southern League, the midfielder offered some hope going forward with his neat passing and a couple of penetrative runs.
Match rating: 5/10 – the football Bassett are playing is encouraging. But unable to stake out a presence in opposition territory, they too often found themselves playing the ball around deep in their own half. And when possession is lost in those kind of areas, the danger of conceding is all the greater as Roberts' side found to their cost.
Last modified on Monday 22nd June 2015 at 23:38
