The Weir Field, 9th November 2014

A Steve Yeardley penalty in the second half of extra time proved enough to secure Wootton Bassett Town a place in the last eight of the Wiltshire Senior Cup as Bassett outlasted Wroughton in another tough encounter against County League opposition.

After an eventful, albeit goalless 90 minutes, the Bassett captain slotted home past former teammate Chris Mills from the spot with seven minutes remaining in the extra half hour after home 'keeper Kurtis Sharkey had wrestled Nathan Hawkins to the floor to earn a red card - the second to be produced in the game.

Nathan Gambling had earlier been dismissed for Bassett, the forward earning a second yellow card early in the second half for his involvement in a melee sparked by a heavy challenge on George Drewitt.

Given Bassett's experience in their opening round encounter against Malmesbury Victoria, a scrappy, difficult afternoon was to be expected against Wroughton, who stunned Bemerton Heath Harlequins in the previous round and whose side contained plenty of seasoned campaigners with Hellenic League experience.

In the opening half the best chance fell to Bassett's leading scorer Dan Bailey, with his volley being repelled by Sharkey.

After the restart the hosts, with a man advantage, twice came close as Leigh Brown and Mills were denied by Ben Mitchell. At the other end, Henry Traas had a header cleared off the line by Ant Packer before Bailey forced another fine save from Sharkey.

While a fine shotstopper, Sharkey has always been prone to have the odd moment off madness. And he was afflicted by another when he slammed Hawkins to the floor, forcing his side to turn to Mills - who in his time at Bassett donned the gloves on a few occasions - to keep their cup hopes alive.

Yet he was beaten by Yeardley, who kept his cool on an otherwise heated afternoon, and Bassett were the side who progressed, dodging another potential banana skin.

Last modified on Monday 22nd June 2015 at 23:38