Magpies Stadium, 10 October 2020
Adam Corcoran volleyed home the only goal of the game as Royal Wootton Bassett Town laboured their way to a 1-0 Buildbase FA Vase Second Qualifying round victory away against Stonehouse Town.
Corcoran struck as he guided home a Gio Wrona free kick midway through the second half to ensure Bassett advanced through the FA Vase qualifying rounds for only the second time in the past ten seasons.
It was an otherwise middling display from Sam Collier's side, who can perhaps be forgiven a tired, below-par effort after last week's exploits in the FA Cup against National League South opposition.
Ultimately though they did enough to stave off the threat of an upset against their Hellenic League Division One West opponents, who gave Bassett a run for their money.
Indeed, with Bassett starting on the back foot and never really getting going, Stonehouse found themselves all over their visitors in the opening period. Yet the hosts never appeared inclined to break the deadlock.
Bassett, meanwhile, were forced to reshuffle the pack twice in the first half as Jack Baker and Chris Taylor were forced off with injuries.
Baker's replacement Zac Skinner was then himself withdrawn after being on the receiving end of a heavy challenge shortly after the restart.
Being stripped off options to change things up later in the game by virtue of the three enforced substitutions, it perhaps came with some relief for Collier that Corcoran struck when he did, the centre half producing a fine volley from Wrona's weighted set piece delivery to break the deadlock.
That proved to be all that was required for Bassett, who were aided by Stonehouse being reduced to ten men late on.
It may not have arrived with quite the same quality of display that was produced in their three FA Cup triumphs. But Corcoran's goal was enough to seal progression in another national cup contest, earn some further prize money and go some way to improving Bassett's record in a competition that has brought only rare moments of joy since the club made its debut back in 2001-02.
Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 10th October 2020 at 17:36
