Callum Parsons and Gio Wrona scored hat-tricks as Royal Wootton Bassett Town defeated New College 7-0 in the Buildbase FA Vase First Qualifying round.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town romped to a clinical 7-0 victory – their biggest ever in the competition – to see off a plucky, yet heavily overmatched New College side in the FA Vase First Qualifying round.

Both Callum Parsons and Gio Wrona struck hat-tricks as Sam Collier's team advanced with great ease and – importantly from the manager's point-of-view – a clean sheet in the bag.

There were moments in the second half where Bassett did get a little sloppy. But that's to be expected in a game that was only going to have one winner as soon as the first goal went in, while for the majority of the game the visitors were dominant and able to play some fluent, flowing football.

Initially it did require Bassett to show a degree of patience in their search for the opening goal. New College, who struggled to maintain any real, meaningful possession in the opening period, played with ten men behind the ball, with it often appearing as though they were playing a novel 7-2-1 formation.

That made it somewhat difficult for Bassett to unpick their defence, though a handful of chances did fall their way early on, the best falling to Jonny Davoile, who shot straight at Adam McGill after racing onto Tony Joyce's ball over the top.

It was ultimately a Joyce pass that set Bassett on their way. The hosts frequently tried to deploy a high line, leaving an expanse of space to play balls into. And the full back clipped a perfect pass into the right channel, which Wrona, playing on the right side of midfield, latched onto to before comfortably slotting home.

The floodgates appeared as though they were going to open as McGill was forced to save with his feet from Alfie Presley before Wrona soon doubled the lead, tapping home a rebound after Callum Parsons had rounded the 'keeper only to see his tight-angled shot kept out by a defensive block.

The young home side started to look shorn of confidence. And they were guilty of giving the ball away cheaply to Wayne Turk, whose through ball set Parsons free only for the forward to shoot straight at McGill.

Another case of New College cheaply losing possession soon led to Bassett's third. Turk won the ball back, Wrona steered a pass into the space behind the defence, and Parsons coolly lobbed the advancing McGill.

Parsons then added his second four minutes before half time, receiving a weighted pass from Davoile before firing into the top corner from the edge of the area.

The goals appeared as though they would keep flowing after the restart.

On 50 minutes, Bassett had their fifth as Wrona saw a shot on the turn saved by McGill only for the ball to rebound in off the leg of a fortunately positioned Presley.

Three minutes later it was six as Danny Langford rolled his marker Matt Cosnett before unselfishly squaring for Parsons to tap home.

McGill then did well to keep out efforts from Presley and Parsons.

But around the hour mark New College – much to their credit – kicked into life. And they served up a scare for Bassett, who had lost their shape a little and become susceptible to the counterattack.

The impressive Jack Rockett – living up to his surname – raced clear of Joyce down the left and cut inside when nearing the box only to blaze over. Jack Hulbert then stung the palms of Declan Lehmann when he found himself with too much space inside the penalty area.

Yet the spell where Bassett faced any real pressure was only temporary. And as time wound down, they found themselves creating chances again.

Langford, who toiled away all game without reward – except for a trip to the sin bin, brought out an excellent reflex save from McGill with a powerful shot on the bounce.

While it may not have been his night, teammate Wrona had enjoyed himself. And the midfielder completed his hat-trick with the last action of the game. Presley swung in a cross from the right touchline and, narrowly beating the 'keeper to the punch, Wrona planted a firm header into the net to make it seven.

Tougher tests await – both in the league and Vase, where Bassett will travel to Wessex League Premier Division side Tadley Calleva.

Man of the Match: Gio Wrona – took his three goals well, while also setting up Callum Parsons for his second. The midfielder was accurate with his passing throughout the game too, and linked up well with Tony Joyce down the right flank.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Friday 30th August 2019 at 23:01