Windsor
Royal Wootton Bassett TownRWBTFC
Windsor Logo
0 ‒ 2
Royal Wootton Bassett Town Logo

RWBTFC Scorers:
Josh Elms, Alfie Presley

Bassett reap replay rewards by beating lively Windsor

Stag Meadow, 9 August 2022

The Emirates FA Cup has brought out the best of Royal Wootton Bassett Town in recent seasons, with a record equalling run in 2020-21 followed by a record-setting margin of victory last year. Another milestone can now be added to that list as a 2-0 extra preliminary round replay win away at Windsor means Bassett have recorded victory in the competition in three consecutive seasons - the first time that has been achieved in club history.

That achievement was secured in impressive fashion too as Sam Collier's side earned a hard fought, albeit ultimately deserved win against a lively Windsor team.

The Royalists were tricky customers in the original meeting in Wiltshire, though a replay would not have been needed had Bassett seen the game out.

There were no such issues this time, however as a rock solid defensive display and an energetic attacking performance produced the goods.

Unlike Saturday, this was a game that produced multiple chances at both ends of the pitch, with the two attacks waking up from the slumber that they were in at the weekend. Keenly contested and with little to separate the teams, it was a highly entertaining, tense contest throughout.

Bassett were again the team who produced more clear cut opportunities over the course of the 90 minute.

But playing with intent from the first whistle, the hosts threatened first. On four minutes, Emeka Ukaegbu's audacious backheel found an unmarked Joe Blount in the left corner. Blount flashed a low ball across the six yard box but fortunately for Bassett there was no final touch to steer home.

Bassett soon were a whisker away from leading when a quick free kick from Tommy Ouldridge to Louis Spalding caught Windsor off guard. Spalding whipped a fine cross into the box, which Josh Elms flicked towards goal, however his header bounced off the crossbar and wide.

Collier's side continued to find success down the left side as home full back Basim Mirtahmasebi pushed forward but was less diligent when it came to tracking back.

Midway through the half, 'keeper Matt Crowther quickly flipped a kick forward for Spalding who again picked out Elms with a precise cross into the box. The forward was unmarked but was let down by a heavy first touch.

Another break, this time initiated by a Jon Beeden tackle saw Bailey Gallagher surge forward. After cutting inside, the ball was worked through Jack Hobson-McVeigh to Spalding - now switched to the right - and his low shot from a tight angle was parried wide by Conaill Ryan.

Having knocked on the door for a while, Bassett eventually made the breakthrough three minutes before the interval. Chris Taylor split the Windsor defence with a sublime through pass which Gallagher ran onto. Drawing Ryan off his line, the winger unselfishly squared inside for Elms to tap in.

It was a well worked goal and gave Bassett a deserved lead - which was soon almost doubled as Elms arrowed a low drive inches wide of the left post after great work from Scott Chilcott to win the ball back deep inside Windsor territory.

With such a slender lead, there was still plenty to do in the second half, with the youthful hosts likely to benefit from their fresher legs.

They created a decent opening within thirty seconds of play resuming as Tyler Robinson crossed for Kyle Rochford, whose attempted bicycle kick glided wide.

Elms then had a string of half chances in quick succession - the best coming when he played a neat give and go with Ouldridge before shooting just wide of the post from the edge of the area.

After a relatively frantic opening ten minutes, Windsor soon started to assert themselves better, enjoyed a sustained period of play midway through the half that saw them force multiple corners and pin Bassett deep.

Bassett's defence - with Beeden and fellow centre half Dave Bampton particularly impressive - fended off that spell though.

And the visitors were eventually able to kill the game off with eight minutes left. After Gio Wrona saw an attempted cross blocked, the ball broke for Chilcott and he burst into the box before cutting back to Alfie Presley who emphatically fired in on the turn.

That was game, set and match, though a third almost arrived when Taylor stole possession and Elms broke forward only to blaze over.

Another tough test against Combined Counties League opposition now awaits in the form of Reading City. That promises to be another entertaining encounter with Bassett looking to make the most of having home advantage at the Sustain Stadium.

Man of the match: Josh Elms - the forward had a great game and deservedly scored. Justifying his starting berth, he not only proved a real threat for the Windsor defence, but worked tirelessly for his side to press when the hosts had possession.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Tuesday 9th August 2022 at 22:52

Windsor
Royal Wootton Bassett TownRWBTFC
Windsor Logo
0 ‒ 2
Royal Wootton Bassett Town Logo

RWBTFC Scorers:
Josh Elms, Alfie Presley