Royal Wootton Bassett Town's hopes of equalling the club's record run in the FA Cup were dashed as Torpoint Athletic came from behind to win 3-1 in a first qualifying round encounter that was the proverbial game of two halves.

In a game whose kick off was delayed by an hour and ten minutes due to the visitors being caught in traffic on the M5, Jonny Aitkenhead's side were left to rue only being able to score the one goal in a first half that they dominated.

The visitors were understandably unsettled by their nightmare journey from Cornwall to Wiltshire - and also had to contend with playing against a strong wind in the first half when the contest eventually got under way in driving rain.

And Bassett sought to press home those advantages, making a lively start to the match which saw them take the lead within the opening quarter of an hour.

Ollie Smith fed a pass to Marcel Lewis on the right wing, who cut inside before producing a firm left footed drive from the edge of the box that flew past James Morley in the Torpoint goal.

Bassett were then on top for the remainder of the half but couldn't find a second.

Lewis came close on the half hour when a fizzing half volley from 20 yards out flew narrowly over after a looping Smith cross was only half cleared.

The effervescent Lewis then almost turned provider as he teased in a cross for an unmarked Ben Cleary whose close range glancing header went across the face of goal.

Those were just two of the opportunities Bassett had - and the hosts would be left to regret not having made more of them as Torpoint turned the tie around.

The Cornish side got back on terms within six minutes of the restart when Sam Pearson produced a cool finish to cap off a flowing move.

They then quickly found themselves ahead - doing so in some style as Tom Payne caught Adam House off his line and beat the Bassett 'keeper from a good fifty yards out.

Despite playing into the wind, Bassett were still able to create chances. And a low Smith ball into the box again went uncleared, falling to Lewis whose low drive was batted away by Morley.

While House had to be alert to keep out a tight angled effort from Joe Rapson, Bassett were the team on top as the game entered its final stages.

But Torpoint would deliver a suckerpunch late on. A quick ball out from Morley had Bassett on their heels and Pearson teed up substitute Ryan Richards for a simple finish that secured victory and a first ever second qualifying round appearance for Torpoint.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 30th August 2025 at 23:52