Gerard Buxton Sports Ground, 31 October 2020

A fluent display from Royal Wootton Bassett Town saw them brush aside Cornish visitors Camelford and ease to a comfortable, convincing 4-0 victory in the Buildbase FA Vase first round. TJ Bohane, returning to action after missing Bassett's previous three fixtures, was the star of the show as he netted a brace while also laying on the other two goals of the game.

Bassett were on top throughout the game and could have added even further to their tally. Indeed, they had four great chances before Tommy Ouldridge eventually gave Sam Collier's side a 24th minute lead.

On nine minutes Jack Stirland blazed over from a promising position after Chris Taylor recycled a half cleared corner. Adam Corcoran hooked wide with his back to goal after Adam Flint's long throw had been flicked on by Bohane and Dave Bampton before Kyle Tooze found the side netting from a tight angle. Sam Ockwell then placed over from a free kick right on the edge of the area.

When Ouldridge's opener did arrive, there was a degree to which Bassett had to thank their visitors as Adam Sleep's weak clearance was easily intercepted by Stirland. But from there on it was a well-worked goal. Stirland threaded a pass into the left channel for Bohane to run onto and the forward played a lovely cut back across the six yard box, which Ouldridge guided home with a deft touch that carried the ball past Josh Colwill.

Bassett's lead was almost doubled moments later as Alex Dinsmore's corner bounced around the box before Tooze eventually hooked over. Meanwhile, at the other end the visitors had their only real chance of the half when Bobby Hopkinson's fizzing low free kick from thirty yards was held on the dive by an outstretched Harrison Ellis.

Another goal for Bassett and the hosts knew they would head into the interval firmly in charge. And that arrived nine minutes from half time.

Ouldridge this time served as the provider, jumping on another loose pass out from the Camelford defence before playing a through ball to Bohane, who calmly lifted over Colwill.

Bohane then had a shot on the turn batted away and Tooze fired over from the edge of the box as Bassett looked to press home their advantage even further.

A third eventually arrived eight minutes into the second period. From the centre circle, Bohane clipped a perfectly weighted ball over the top of the defence and into the left corner. Racing off his line, Colwill slipped and that allowed Stirland to race onto the ball. With the angle tight, he cut back inside and confidently struck into the top right corner for his first Bassett goal – and one that his impressive performances and consistent effort have deserved.

Bohane then wrapped up the scoring ten minutes later. The move began with a pass from centre half Ockwell to Stirland before the ball was moved quickly up to Tooze. The powerful forward sought to beat his marker, but saw his path to goal blocked. However, the ball broke for Bohane who drilled a firm first time effort beyond the reach of Colwill from the edge of the box.

Firmly in control, it was natural that Bassett's performance levels dropped off for a short while. That allowed the visitors to come into the game a little as proceedings opened up.

Yet, demonstrating Bassett's dominance, only once did Camelford come closing to threatening to deny the hosts a clean sheet, Andy Boxall dragging wide from Tom Ellacott's inside pass.

Bassett then upped their game again in the final quarter of an hour.

An outstretched Dan Bailey guided a Bohane dink over the top agonisingly wide of the left post, while substitute Gio Wrona saw a shot from the edge of the area – one of his first touches of the game – pick up a deflection and end up inches off target. A curling Taylor effort was then acrobatically clawed away by Colwill before on loan Hungerford striker Tooze – desperate for a goal – was denied by a despairing block after latching onto a Wrona through ball.

A fifth goal ultimately proved elusive. Yet Bassett had already inflicted enough damage on yet another excellent afternoon for the club in a national cup competition.

Man of the Match: TJ Bohane – returned to the side in supreme style, scoring two well-taken goals and setting up those for Tommy Ouldridge and Jack Stirland.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 31st October 2020 at 18:09