Royal Wootton Bassett Town seemed all set for a confidence boosting Wiltshire Premier Shield victory against Highworth Town only to see their near neighbours overturn a 2-0 deficit with a dramatic late comeback before prevailing 5-4 on penalties.

Jonny Aitkenhead's side appeared set to advance to the quarter finals thanks to a first half Ben Cleary strike and an Otis Lewis goal with four minutes remaining.

However, staring defeat in the face, Highworth clawed their way back onto level terms through Jerome Daniels and a Liam Haines equaliser deep in injury time.

That forced penalties - and in a back and forth shootout that went to sudden death the Worthians came out on top.

With both sides having endured difficult starts to their Hellenic League Premier Division campaigns, this cup contest represented an opportunity to restore confidence without the prospect of losing out on league position.

The chance to progress to the quarter finals of the Premier Shield - and test themselves against higher level opposition (including a potential date with Swindon Town) also offered sufficient motivation to go all out for victory.

That led to a rather open contest in which there were numerous chances for both sides.

Highworth carved out the greater number of opportunities in the opening period, but were unable to convert, with Edji Mbunga, Haines and ex-Bassett man Bailey Gallagher all failing to locate the target.

Where they failed, Cleary succeeded for the hosts. With three minutes to go until the break, he conjured up a poacher's finish after a dangerous Marcel Lewis ball into the box was only half cleared to put Bassett 1-0 to the good going into the break.

The second half continued in a similar vein to the fist.

Both sides began the half with intent as Rhys Wells struck wide from distance before Marcel Lewis' powerful drive brought out a fine save from Oli Gargett in the Highworth goal.

Gargett was called into action again just after the hour mark as he foiled Cleary after Bassett's leading scorer had been played in by Rudi Hopkins.

Highworth substitute Taylor-Jay Malkin then almost made an immediate impact as he shot over from the edge of the box.

Play quickly switched to the other end where an outstretched Gargett palmed away an Otis Lewis shot.

Otis Lewis would eventually get the better of the Highworth 'keeper though, coolly finishing into the bottom corner after clever build up play involving his brother Marcel and Dylan Griffin.

And that seemingly finished off the tie, with the Bassett boss making the decision to bring off the Lewis twins.

It wasn't job done though.

Jerome Daniels headed home and, after Ethan Murehwa spurned a great opportunity, Haines levelled in the 94th minute.

The shootout began in the worst possible fashion for Bassett as Griffin missed and Wells scored to give Highworth an early advantage. But, after Finn Hopkins beat Gargett, Gallagher gave Bassett a gift as his attempted Panenka was kept out by Lewis Clark.

The next six penalties were all converted - George Cook, Kassa Anderson and Kian McNally finding the net for Bassett with Dan Comer, Leon Morrison and Jordan Murray doing so for the Worthians.

The shootout therefore went to sudden death - and Gargett made his biggest save of the night to deny Jordan Sykes.

Murehwa then beat Clark to seal Highworth's victory and deliver a second crushing blow of the night to Bassett.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Wednesday 29th October 2025 at 22:13