St Mary's Field, 22 October 2022

Royal Wootton Bassett Town advanced to the Isuzu FA Vase second round with a 5-3 triumph away at Bridport in what must rank as the most curious tie that Bassett have ever played in the competition.

Sam Collier's side dominated the majority of the match. And this translated into a 5-0 lead with sixty minutes played, with Bassett threatening to break the club's record for their biggest Vase win - a 7-0 triumph away at New College during the 2019-20 campaign.

Come full time, however, their margin of victory would be just two goals as Bridport salvaged pride with a late three goal rally.

A pair of goals within the opening ten minutes from Gio Wrona and Alfie Presley had set Bassett on their way before Matt Bennett extended the visitors' lead further as the midway point of the first half neared.

That would complete the scoring for the opening period, but it didn't take long for Bassett to once again find the net following the restart as Bennett quickly added his second.

The veteran marksman then completed an impressive hat trick to make it 5-0 on the hour, calmly sending the 'keeper the wrong way from the penalty spot after Bailey Gallagher was felled in the box.

But a hint of complacency from Bassett as - finding themselves in such a commanding position - they took their foot off the gas, combined with Bridport seeking to salvage something from the match, ultimately saw the final score suggest that this was a much more closely fought tie.

Solomon Ayunga scored what at the time seemed like a consolation goal with around twenty minutes remaining.

Quarter of an hour later Ryan Gall pulled back another before Josh Baker, with his team enjoying a very late spell in the ascendancy, added a third for the home side.

Given how late Bridport's final two goals came, Bassett's passage through was arguably safe and secure. But the scoring sequence certainly made for a unique tie.

Bassett now await an opportunity to match the club's record run in the Vase, which victory in round two will guarantee.

The competition will certainly get tougher, with Bassett needing to be on their game for the full 90 minutes next time out.

In the grand scheme of things though, that is a minor quibble.

A Vase victory is always something to toast - and Bassett are finally enjoying a sustained period of success in the competition.

Having reached the second round only twice in their initial 19 participations, Bassett have now advanced to that stage for three consecutive years.

Here's hoping that this win over Bridport can be just the start of a lengthy run.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 23rd October 2022 at 13:18