Rissington Road, 15 May 2021
For the first time since the 2013-14 season, Royal Wootton Bassett Town find themselves in the semi finals of a cup competition.
A convincing 4-0 win away against Bourton Rovers saw Sam Collier's side advance to the final four of the Bluefin Sports Hellenic League Challenge Cup as they brushed aside their Hellenic League Division One West opponents.
Bourton had upset Brimscombe and Thrupp in their last sixteen tie a week ago. But they were not given even a sniff of hope of causing another one - thanks largely to Bassett's clinical, three goal first half display.
The visitors were ahead after just five minutes, Matt Berry-Hargreaves crossing for man of the match Rhys Wells, who made no mistake.
It was two shortly after the half hour mark as good build up play from veteran campaigner Tony Joyce set up TJ Bohane, who produced a smart finish into the bottom corner.
Wells then quickly made it three as he raced onto a through ball, deftly beat the trailing last defender and coolly stroked home his seventh goal of the competition.
Bourton simply had no answer for Wells - and come half time Bassett had one foot firmly in the semi finals.
Collier's side never got complacent though. After the restart, they continued to dictate play with Chris Taylor again orchestrating proceedings from his central midfield spot.
And a fourth goal eventually arrived midway through the period, Ralph Graham getting in on the act as he drove home a half volley.
It's been a long wait for Bassett to even reach this stage of a competition. And longer still - twenty years - since the club's first team has had the opportunity to play for silverware in a cup final.
In a season that started with cup success, here's hoping Bassett can bookend their campaign with similar.
It would be a fitting way to draw to a close a strange, yet ultimately successful year.
And the team certainly has what it takes to make that a reality.
Bring on the semi final.
Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 15th May 2021 at 17:26
