Royal Wootton Bassett Town recorded consecutive cup wins as they outlasted league high flyers Westfields to triumph 2-1 and advance to the last sixteen of the Hellenic League Challenge Cup.

Following on from their victory by the same score against Malmesbury Victoria in the Wiltshire Premier Shield, Jonny Aitkenhead's side ensured they remain alive on another front with a gritty win.

Bassett will now look to make it a cup hat trick when they visit Swindon Supermarine Reserves in the Wiseman Lighting Floodlit Cup.

Given their league travails, Bassett had been looking at the county and league cup competitions as a way to salvage something from the season. And so far they have delivered.

What made their win against Westfields even more impressive was that it came after injuries and availability issues meant the Bassett boss was forced to shuffle his pack. At the back, Forest Green loanee Max Connor returned in goal, Lewis Thorne made his first start of the season and Ben Spackman was called up from the Development team. At the other end of the pitch, meanwhile, Tino Shumba made his debut.

The first half began as an even affair with chances at the other ends. Both Bassett 'keeper Connor - one-on-one from James Baldwin - and Westfields shotstopper Elliott Jones made solid saves in the opening exchanges.

Bassett then took the lead midway through the half when Jones spilled a corner and Joah Hall capitalised for the midfielder's first of the season.

That goal sparked the visitors into life and they had the better of proceedings for the remainder of the half.

And they got back on level terms nine minutes before the break when Dan Cottrill headed home at the far post.

Westfields continued to be on the offensive after the restart - and Bassett had Connor to thank just after the hour when he denied Cottrill in another one-on-one situation.

Chris Gregan and Will Dallaway then shot wide when well placed as the visitors failed to make their pressure count.

That would prove costly as on 77 minutes debutant Shumba made his mark in style. Picking the ball up on the left wing, the lively winger darted forward at an angle before cutting inside his man and firing a right footed effort into the top corner.

It was an impressive way for Shumba to introduce himself to the Bassett faithful - and it proved to be the winner, with Connor producing another fine save as time wound down to preserve their advantage.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 7th November 2026 at 20:31