Royal Wootton Bassett Town suffered a double dose of cup agony as they exited the Isuzu FA Vase at the first qualifying round stage with a penalty shootout defeat away at Hellenic League Premier Division rivals Cinderford Town.

A Jono Peachey-Score brace and Kye Williams strike had put Bassett 3-2 ahead in a back and forth tie.

While Cinderford were putting Bassett under a significant amount of pressure late on, Jonny Aitkenhead's side seemed set to seal a date with Wokingham Town in the second qualifying round too.

However, with just two minutes of time remaining Nathan Dennis salvaged an equaliser for the Foresters that forced the tie to penalties. And, after nine perfect spot kicks, Jack Smith denied Marcel Lewis to secure a 5-4 shootout win for Cinderford.

Bassett, who acquitted themselves well, played their full part in an entertaining tie.

Aitkenhead's side were quick out of the blocks too, leading as early as the fifth minute when Peachey-Score produced a lovely finish to open his Bassett account.

But Cinderford were soon on level terms as Joe Cattermole guided home from a corner. And they led six minutes before the break, Kian Davies taking advantage to score what Bassett will feel was something of a soft goal.

They could have been further in front going into the break too but Fraser Needham in the Bassett goal did well to deny Jaxson Hundt.

Bassett would turn the tie around immediately after the restart though, catching their hosts - as well as some of those in attendance - by suprise with a pair of quickfire goals.

Williams was first to strike, doing so within less than a minute of the second half.

And Peachey-Score soon added his second to restore Bassett's lead.

Cinderford increasingly piled the pressure as the second half wore on but couldn't find a way through, Lewis Powell coming closest with quarter of an hour to go.

But frustration turned to relief for the hosts - with Bassett suffering their first agonising blow - when Dennis made it 3-3.

That meant penalties - and a shootout that was a masterclass in how to hold your nerve.

Cinderford went first with Powell scoring before Peachey-Score replied for Bassett. Davies, Cattermole and Ryan Hiller all found the net for the hosts, with Ben Cleary, Jordan Sykes and Kian McNally doing so for Bassett to keep the visitors on terms.

The final round of penalties began with Sam Hunt netting for Cinderford, meaning it was now sudden death. And Lewis was thwarted for Bassett as the hosts edged through.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 23rd August 2025 at 20:58