Lydney Recreation Ground, 14 April 2023

Royal Wootton Bassett Town's long wait for a cup final appearance will go on for another year after Sam Collier's side suffered an agonising 3-2 defeat in their Bluefin Sports Challenge Cup semi final away at Lydney Town.

Bassett's drought will get ever nearer to the quarter century mark, extending into a 23rd season after this latest near miss.

For Collier and his team, the result represents a clear missed opportunity. Lydney may have proven competitive against Bassett in their two league meetings earlier in the campaign. However, currently sat 15th in the Hellenic League Premier Division table, they are resigned to a bottom half finish, while Bassett have enjoyed by far their best season yet at this level.

But Bassett ultimately came up short in their quest to match their highest ever league finish with cup success. Instead, Lydney will progress to the final - their second of the season - where they will meet Division One champions Pershore Town.

The hosts were the ones who rose to the occasion, punishing Bassett for sloppy defending as they claimed a 3-0 lead by the mid-point of the second half.

There was still time for Bassett to mount a furious comeback attempt - and that they did as Bailey Gallagher cut the lead to 3-1 before Alfie Presley's fine strike made it 3-2 in the game's dying stages.

However, time ran out before Bassett could find an equaliser and potentially force penalties. In fairness though, the visitors' poor opening hour was what cost them, leaving far too much work to be done in too little time.

Although a tight first half, Lydney would lead going into the interval courtesy of former Bassett player Lewis Thompson, who produced a cool finish after good set up play from Jaheim Allen.

Allen then turned from creator to scorer, doubling his side's advantage just before the hour as he curled a low effort into the bottom corner.

It was soon 3-0 as Lucas Vaughan teed up Jordan Sheen, whose firm strike got the better of Matt Crowther.

Belatedly, Bassett kicked into life and Gallagher eventually snatched one back.

At the time, that gave Bassett faint hope, though Presley's effort as the clock ticked over into stoppage time made for a tense final few moments.

Lydney held out though, scuppering Bassett's hopes of an end of season shot at silverware that would have helped cap off an overall excellent season.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Friday 14th April 2023 at 09:54