The Playing Field, 12 November 2022

In reaching the FA Vase third round last season, Royal Wootton Bassett Town were record-breakers. Now, after a late equaliser and a 5-4 win on penalties away at Wellington, that mark has quickly been equalled.

Bassett's shootout victory capped the end to an enthralling, old-fashioned cup tie. In many respects, it was an unfair way for a winner and loser to be determined. But that is football – and both sides can ultimately be proud of the part they played in a game that had plenty to offer the lively crowd that gathered in south Somerset.

Yet again this season, Sam Collier's side were forced to overcome adversity – in the form of injuries and a deficit. But the team's character, drive and never give up attitude pulled them through and ultimately delivered another fine Vase triumph.

Bassett did lead after Tommy Ouldridge curled a fine effort from an acute angle into the top right corner after Rhys Talmash had done brilliantly to fend off the attention of Jason Quick and feed Alfie Presley, whose shot was parried into Ouldridge's path by Harley Wilkinson.

By half time, however, Wellington were in front, with Bassett also forced into an early change as captain Ouldridge was forced to withdraw.

The home side reacted strongly to going behind – and shortly after Jake Quick flicked a header wide from an Eli Collins cross, they found an equaliser.

After Miles Quick's low ball in from the left, Kelson Pollard struck a fierce drive that smashed into Dave Bampton at point blank range. The loose ball then fell to Henry Woodward who arrowed into the bottom right corner from the edge of the area, leaving Matt Crowther no chance.

Bassett then spurned a pair of quality chances.

On the half hour mark, Talmash latched onto a delicate Matt Jones free kick delivery and, with Wilkinson drawn to the post, cut the ball back across the six only to see no teammate gambling to be in position to apply what would have been a tap in finish.

Eight minutes later, Talmash found himself one-on-one with Wilkinson after substitute Bailey Gallagher's block set him free, but the forward could only shoot straight at the home shotstopper.

While Bassett were wasteful, Wellington proved to be clinical. On the stroke of half time, Jack Bown-Porter launched a long throw from the right side into the box and with only his side's third shot of the match, Jake Quick registered his team's second goal as he produced a fine snap finish on the turn into the top corner.

Given Bassett had been playing up the significant slope, being 2-1 behind at the break was not necessarily the worst position to be in at the interval. But Bassett boss Collier was deeply unsatisfied with the way his team had been playing, launching into a fierce half time team talk.

His strong words did provoke a reaction as Bassett enjoyed the majority of possession throughout the second half. But, frustratingly, they found themselves unable to find the needed break through.

A great early chance fell to an unmarked Jones as he got on the end of a teasing Louis Spalding cross only to head wide at the near post.

Wellington were now content to sit deep, but they did have a pair of half chances with Woodward forcing Crowther into a jumping save and Jake Quick steering narrowly wide with a speculative shot from the edge of the area after a quick Bown-Porter throw.

However, play was largely centred at the other end of the pitch. But an equaliser seemed as though it was going to elude Bassett, who thus seemed on course to exit the competition as Wellington – partly through winding down the clock at every possible opportunity, but primarily thanks to their watertight defensive play – soaked up the significant pressure they found themselves under.

Eventually though, with nine minutes remaining Bassett got the breakthrough they needed and which their perseverance deserved.

Exploiting space in the left channel, the ball was worked out to Jones who fizzed in a low delivery across the six-yard box, which home defender Jason Quick – under pressure from emergency centre forward Landon Golding – bundled into his own net.

The momentum was now fully with Bassett, but more late pressure failed to yield a winner, forcing penalties.

Wellington won the toss and were first up, but Stefan Phillips rattled the post. Matt Jones then sent Wilkinson the wrong way to put Bassett in front – and it was an advantage they would not relinquish.

With Sam Towler and Miles Quick scoring Wellington's second and third spot kicks, Talmash and Chris Taylor both had Wilkinson guessing wrong to make it 3-2. Bown-Porter then made it three in a row for the hosts before there were nervous gasps when Wilkinson got a hand on Spalding's penalty, but the ball squeezed in to keep Bassett ahead going into the fifth round of the shootout.

Collins scored to keep Wellington alive. However, Golding was calmness personified, confidently sweeping home to send Bassett through.

Man of the match: Kai Robinson – the midfielder put in a super shift, battling away for the entire 90 minutes. Wellington made it tough for Bassett, but Robinson's energy and pressing were vital, especially in the second half as his side sought to get back on level terms.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 12th November 2022 at 19:02