Gerard Buxton Sports Ground, 11 December 2021

Royal Wootton Bassett Town were unable to extend their record-setting Buildbase FA Vase run any further as Sam Collier's side fell to a 3-1 home defeat against Hamworthy United in a tense third round encounter.

While matching their opponents for most of the game, Bassett were ultimately left to rue a series of excellent chances that went begging. And at the other end Hamworthy ruthlessly punished Bassett for two instances of slack play either side of half time before being gifted a third that killed off any hopes the home side had of progressing to the last 32.

On balance Hamworthy were worth their win. But Collier and his players will feel that their opponents were there for the taking.

Indeed, Bassett expertly executed their game plan for the opening 44 minutes of the game and appeared on course to take a deserved lead into the break. And it was an advantage that could have been greater than just the one goal. Yet a failure to take the other opportunities they fashioned and a lapse in concentration in the final minute of the half meant they went into the break all square.

Seeking to negate the impact of Hamworthy's high press, Bassett adopted a more direct approach than usual. That almost paid dividends within the game's opening 180 seconds when Matt Bennett controlled Will Davidson's ball out from the back before a give-and-go with strike partner John Mills set him free in behind a laggard Hamworthy backline. However, when presented with just 'keeper Shane Murphy to beat, Bennett dragged wide across the face of goal.

Hamworthy initially appeared unable to settle into any real rhythm, though they were able to twice threaten on the break from Bassett corners. A necessary, professional foul from Gio Wrona on the halfway line snuffed out one while Cam Munn eventually dragged wide from another.

But aside from those moments, Bassett appeared the most composed side. And on 23 minutes they exploited Hamworthy's vulnerabilities in defence to take the lead. Mills played a delightful ball into the pocket of space behind left back Chris Clarke to set Bennett free for a second time. After beating down on goal, Bennett saw his effort parried by an onrushing Murphy. However, the 'keeper was unable to get enough on the ball to push it away to safety and Tommy Ouldridge was on hand to tuck away the rebound.

The goal unsettled the visitors even more - and Bennett was soon presented with two further openings to extend Bassett's advantage.

After Davidson intercepted a stray pass and played the ball forward to Bennett, the Bassett man rolled Connor Cocklin with ease before placing narrowly wide of the right post from the edge of the area. Three minutes later, he raced onto Gio Wrona's through pass into the right channel and clipped a powerful shot past an advancing Murphy from the edge of the area only to see his effort again glide inches wide.

Hamworthy were certainly fortunate not to have faced an even greater deficit. Having rode their luck, they proceeded to capitalise on some soft defending with seconds left on the clock to equalise.

Bassett failed to pressure Clarke, allowing the left back to advance towards the edge of the area with the ball. His inside pass was then not properly cut out, allowing Max Wilcock to pick up the pieces and curl low into the bottom corner with a skidding 20-yard strike.

It was to prove a pivotal goal.

Shifting momentum in their favour, it provided Hamworthy the spark that they needed. They subsequently started the second half on the front foot, playing with intent.

Wilcock almost added another within sixty seconds of the restart as he sent a powerful drive over from a dangerous position just outside the area. Munn then cut in from the right side before sending a low curler narrowly wide of the left post.

They soon enough struck for the second time - doing so on 56 minutes and punishing Bassett for sloppy play. The hosts had possession of the ball in midfield but a wayward Sam Morris pass allowed Hamworthy to break, with only a saving tackle from Davidson denying the visitors. The defender was only able to force a corner though. Eddie Hodge floated the set piece into the six-yard area where 'keeper Eddie Cavanagh was able to get a part of the ball - but it was not enough to punch away from danger and Jack Lovell snapped up the chance to bundle in a header from close range.

Wilcock had the ball in the net again on the hour mark but his effort was ruled out for a handball offence.

Bassett, seemingly starting to fray, then were presented with a golden opportunity to level things up. Again though it passed them by. After jumping on an underhit clearance from Murphy, Ouldridge quickly passed inside to Bennett who split the defence with a through ball to Mills. The forward had just Murphy to beat but his left foot attempt was too close to Murphy, who produced a clutch save, tipping around the post.

Another critical moment in the game, that miss proved costly.

Within seven minutes Bassett were 3-1 down. It was a goal which 'keeper Cavanagh will want to forget quickly too. Hodge swung in a seemingly innocuous free kick from the deep on the left. But, biting on the run of Lovell, Cavanagh froze on the spot, allowing the ball to sail into the bottom corner untouched.

That goal sapped the life out of Bassett. The best they could muster as they sought to chase the game in the final quarter hour was when Macauley Dodson steered over from 15 yards after a Mills free kick delivery dropped for the defender.

Instead, the hosts spent much of the rest of the game chasing the ball as Hamworthy methodically wound the clock down. Munn was even close to adding a fourth, only to be denied at point blank range by Cavanagh.

Bassett had nothing left to give. It had been a brave display and Hamworthy had been forced to work hard - and ride their luck - to claim their win. Ultimately though not taking the gilt-edged chances when they fell Bassett's way and Hamworthy's ruthlessness proved decisive.

After such a strong effort and having had the opportunities that they did, Bassett will justifiably be asking themselves 'what if?'. However, as painful a defeat as this may be, all involved with this year's Vase run can look back with pride on the five games they have played in the competition.

It would have been great to have progressed even further - and Bassett were not that far off doing so.

But club history has been made. And that in itself is something to be proud of.

Man of the Match: Will Davidson - another strong performance from the left back, who provided some useful, threatening passes going forward and performed his defensive duties diligently.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 11th December 2021 at 18:50