An August to Remember for Bassett - 2nd September

Given the modest ambitions going into their first season back in the Hellenic Premier Division following a five year exile, Wootton Bassett Town manager Dave Turner will be overjoyed with the fantastic start his side have made to the season. His side currently have the best defensive record in the division, having conceded just twice in their opening four leagues games, whilst they also possess the best goal difference, and – most importantly – are unbeaten in all competitions, a feat only title favourites Shortwood United can match.

Finishing August in a healthy seventh place has very much been a pleasant surprise, although boss Turner – as shown by his comments to the Swindon Advertiser following Monday’s Bank Holiday win over local rivals Highworth Town – is of the opinion that they are deservedly there, and rightly so. The month began with a workmanlike 2-0 win at Pegasus Juniors, who – despite their early season struggles – are a tough nut to crack at home. From there Bassett were held to a 1-1 draw by Western League Division One Bradford Town in their opening FA Cup fixture. In the replay they appeared to be on the brink of elimination, until youngster Jon Beeden’s late header made it 3-3, thus forcing penalties from which Turner’s side prevailed, demonstrating the character and resolve possessed by the youthful squad the manager has forged.

Bassett’s second league encounter saw them travel to Oxford City Nomads, where they triumphed 8-0. The Nomads may be rooted to the bottom of the table, but it says something that only one other team – Bracknell Town – have so far kept a clean sheet against them. Then came the first dropped points of the season at home against Old Woodstock Town – a team with their sights set on a top ten finish. Twice Bassett surrendered leads in a game that wound up finishing 2-2, but once again the team’s tremendous character was on show as they refused to buckle after the visitors’ second equaliser. Against Western League Almondsbury UWE in the FA Cup Preliminary round, Turner’s team showed they can win ugly as well as they secured a place in the First Qualifying round for only the second time in the club’s history with a 1-0 victory. Two days later they finished the month in style against Highworth. And it was a complete performance that earned a deserved three points to push the number in the points column next to Bassett’s name into double figures. From the back to the front, every player put in a shift as the Worthians were defeated and blanked 2-0.

What has been most pleasing though is the way the whole squad have not been fazed by the step up in quality. Both Sam Collier and Alex Green have found their scoring boots once again, while youngsters Beeden, Craig Bowden, Ethan Delaney and Liam Edmondson have all demonstrated a maturity beyond their years. Heading back to last season, Bassett have now gone 13 games unbeaten in competitive fixtures. That streak will undoubtedly come to an end, but it is one to savour.

Bassett Favourites In Cup Tie - 27th August

Wootton Bassett Town are on the road tomorrow in the FA Cup with their opposition provided by Almondsbury UWE..

Almondsbury are currently bottom of the Western League First Division and Bassett boss Dave Turner, who has no injury worries, admits his side are “favourites” for the tie. “If we get a result there it would be wonderful because it brings money into the club and keeps us in the FA Cup,” said the manager. “I think we’ve earned the right to be favourites because the lads’ attitudes have been good, but it gives us a little bit of responsibility. I’m not getting hung up about it. We won’t approach the game any different, our attitude is exactly the same whether we’re favourites or not.”

If Bassett make it past Almondsbury they will visit Longwell Green Sports or Hamble ASSC in the next round.

Form Continues - 23rd August

Wootton Bassett continued their impressive early season form with an 8-0 trouncing of Oxford City Nomads in the Hellenic League Premier Division.

Alex Green hit four for Bassett, while there were also goals for Ethan Delaney, James Turner, Terry Adams and Sam Collier as the visitors ran riot at the Court Place Farm Stadium. It means two wins out of two in league action for Dave Turner’s side, without conceding a goal in the process, to add to their FA Cup progression but the boss is keeping his feet on the floor.

“They are not the Oxford City Nomads that I knew,” said Turner to The Swindon Advertiser. “It was a very young side and I felt for them because they are obviously trying to build something and put a new team together. But having said that, you can only play what is put in front of you and I’ll take any three points we can get in this division. It’s two away games, two wins and two clean sheets, which is great. But it’s very early days still and our aim hasn’t changed. We just want to stay in the division and establish ourselves. There’s still a long way to go and we are enjoying every minute of it.”

Bassett could even afford to miss a penalty, with Richie Carter the guilty culprit as he put his spot kick against the post. “Richie kept saying he hit it too well,” explained Turner. “But in my book if you hit it well it goes in – simple as that. But I’ll let him off on this occasion!”

Baptism Of Fire - 21st August

Dave Turner admits life in the Hellenic Premier has been a baptism of fire, as Bassett go into their fourth game in 12 days this weekend.

Bassett travel to Oxford City Nomads today full of confidence following an opening day win at Pegasus Juniors and an FA Cup success over Bradford Town, in which they needed a replay and penalties to secure their passage. Whilst Turner is delighted with his side’s start, he says his troops must get used to the league’s heavy schedule.

“It will be hard to catch our breath in this division but I’m confident the lads can do it,” he said. “The games will come thick and fast in the Premier Division unlike in Division One West. But we have started well, it’s nice to get three points on the board early doors.”

Bassett are without Matty Bown for tomorrow’s clash but Ryan Thomas returns to the squad.

Turner hailed his side’s “never-say-die” attitude after they twice came from behind to beat Bradford Town on Tuesday, making it through to the preliminary round of the FA Cup. After Saturday’s initial clash ended in a 1-1 draw, Tuesday’s replay went the distance, with Bassett’s Stuart Thompson saving two penalties to give his side a 4-3 shootout victory.

“You have to feel for Bradford because it was such an even game,” said Turner. “But the spirit in our dressing room is fantastic and the lads showed that never-say-die attitude, which brought us through yet again.”

Seeking To Survive - 5th August

Consolidation, consolidation, consolidation. That alone will be the priority for Wootton Bassett Town this coming season as they ply their trade in the Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division for the first time in five years. Half a decade of having great expectations going into a campaign has finally given way to more modest ambitions, and now Dave Turner’s team can focus on establishing themselves at step five of the non-league pyramid – a level a club of this size should really be aiming to play at year in and year out.

But for all the talk of belonging this must be backed up on the pitch. There is no doubt some pressure on Bassett to secure survival. After all, the performances of newly promoted sides to the Hellenic Premier in recent years has been fantastic; last year Binfield, Oxford City Nomads and Ascot United all made their mark in their maiden seasons in the division, whilst Old Woodstock Town can now be considered a part of the furniture following two solid seasons. In order to repeat their results Turner has entrusted faith in the same set of players that helped achieve promotion, having limited his additions to the squad. And why not? Together, they performed consistently well last year, and by finishing level on points with champions Slimbridge have earned the chance to try their luck at a higher level. Furthermore, too many new faces would arguably have threatened the fantastic chemistry that has developed amongst the players.
New to Rylands Way this year will be youngsters Jon Beeden – an energetic full back – and Ethan Delaney – a tricky forward with plenty of pace, both of whom add more than just competition for places. Returning to the side is a trio of players who featured for Shrivenham last year. Forward Alex Green has a history of scoring plenty of goals in the Hellenic Premier, whilst the Carter twins, Richie and Shaun, have re-signed, having both played a major part of the Bassett side that narrowly missed out on promotion two seasons ago. Furthermore, the recovery of Shaun Terry – scorer of 29 goals two seasons ago - from a knee ligament injury that has kept him sidelined for the past year and a half will feel like a new signing too and he provides yet another threat in front of goal.

On the pitch, the pre-season for Bassett has been a relatively successful one. Although the club’s front-men have struggled to find the back of the net, there has been little to worry about at the opposite end of the pitch. In their first friendly Bassett came up against Wiltshire Senior Cup holders Calne Town and prevailed by the odd goal in three thanks to a Sam Collier penalty and Matty Bown strike. A Swindon Town XI – mainly comprised of their youth team – were then held to a 1-1 draw courtesy of a Terry Adams goal before Southern League Swindon Supermarine were made to work extremely hard for their 2-0 victory; a missed penalty from Terry ensured the visitors kept a clean sheet.
Following a 2-1 victory over Wiltshire League Wroughton – Delaney and Mitch Wyatt the scorers, Bassett fell to their second defeat of the preseason away against reigning County League champions New College Academy prevailed 2-1, Craig Bowden on target for the visitors. Bassett then dominated proceedings away at Letcombe but could only score the once through Liam Edmondson on the way to another win. Defender Bowden was once again on target at newly promoted Wessex League outfit Pewsey Vale, and a further goal from Alex Green secured another win by the odd goal in three.
The penultimate friendly saw a mixed first and reserve team take on 1st Battalion the Rifles in a charity match at Rylands Way. The hosts won 2-0 thanks to a first half Edmondson header and an own goal early in the second half. More importantly though over £400 was raised for Help for Heroes and Care for Casualties – the Rifles’ own fund, money for which the club would like to thank all those who attended for helping raise it.
The final tune up fixture saw Bassett travel to a second Western League opponent, this time Melksham Town, who like Calne were relegated to Division One of that competition last season. And once again only a single goal separated the sides, with a Bowden penalty – the defender’s fourth of the preseason – ensuring victory for the visitors.

Bassett Take on 1st Rifles - 20th July

Wootton Bassett Town has confirmed the date of their match against 1st Battalion 'The Rifles', who are based at Chepstow, as being Sunday 1st August.

The aim of the day is to raise money for Help for Heroes and the 1st Rifles Battalion funds. All money collected on the day will be split equally between the two organisations with non being taken by the Club. The club is hoping for a good crowd to help swell the level of funds for these worthy organisations.

The Chepstow based 1 Rifles combines the 1st Battalion, Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry and the 1st Battalion, Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry.

Away Days Galore (Potentially)- 9th July

Having been drawn at home in the first two rounds of both the FA Cup and Vase last season, Wootton Bassett Town have this year been handed away dates in each of the first three rounds of both national competitions, that is should they advance.

This may well be a blessing in disguise though given Bassett have been eliminated at home in the FA Cup in each of the past three seasons. Their away form in national competitions on the other hand has been somewhat impressive with three wins (Buckingham Athletic, Henley Town and Westbury United), four draws (Shrewton United, Highworth Town, Brockenhurst and Flackwell Heath) and three defeats (Christchurch, Bournemouth and Wimborne Town) in their past ten road trips.

Despite the difficult nature of their draws – there are admittedly no easy games in such competitions – hopefully such form can be replicated this season to ensure the Rylands Way faithful have some trips to remember in 2010/11.

FA Cup
The FA Cup has been kind of late to Wootton Bassett Town, with the club having progressed at least one round in two of the past three seasons. This year though, if they are to advance, they will have to do it the hard way having been handed tricky away draws – each against step six opposition – in both the Extra Preliminary and Preliminary rounds.
Their journey in the world's greatest cup competition will begin with a trip to FA Cup virgins Bradford Town. The south Wiltshire side narrowly missed out on promotion from Division One of the Western League as they finished fourth, and they also enjoyed a successful foray in the FA Vase, advancing to the second round proper. Their manager Paul Shanley is a familiar face too as he previously managed Trowbridge Town.
Victory would see Bassett face either Amesbury Town or Almondsbury UWE. The former are members of Wessex League Division One where they came 11th in 2008/09. Their last two FA Cup campaigns have ended at the first hurdle with defeats in which they shipped five goals. The latter meanwhile – who possess a link with the Bristol-based University of the West of England – finished 13th in the Western League Division One and are entering the FA Cup for the first time. Last season in the FA Vase they were knocked out in the First Qualifying Round.
A second triumph would secure a place in the First Qualifying Round for only the second time in the club's history. One of three Wessex League Premier Division teams – a league whose teams have dominated Bassett historically in FA competitions – would host Dave Turner's side at that stage. One of that trio is Hamble ASSC, who defeated Bassett 3-2 in the Vase last season before going on to win the Wessex League Division One title. Christchurch – fourth in the Wessex Premier last year – are another side who Bassett have previous with in the Vase as the sides met in 2005/06, with the Dorset-based side winning 1-0 in a replay following a stirring 1-1 draw at Rylands Way. The third potential opponents are New Milton Town. Despite finishing 19th in the top tier of Wessex League football last season, they have tremendous FA Cup pedigree, having reached the Fourth Qualifying Round on three occasions in the past ten years. The most recent occasion on which they journeyed to within one round of the First Round proper was during the 2004/05 season when they were defeated in a replay by then Conference National outfit Woking. The Hampshire side have also previously reached the last eight of the FA Vase.
Extra Preliminary Round – Bradford Town v Wootton Bassett Town (Saturday August 14th 2010)
Preliminary Round – Amesbury Town or Almondsbury UWE v Bradford Town or Wootton Bassett Town (Saturday August 28th 2010)
First Qualifying Round – New Milton Town or Christchurch or Hamble ASSC v Amesbury Town or Almondsbury UWE or Bradford Town or Wootton Bassett Town (Saturday September 11th 2010)

FA Vase
Following a Second Round Proper appearance in 2008/09, Wootton Bassett Town reverted to type last year in the FA Vase when they were eliminated in the First Qualifying Round by Hamble ASSC.
This season though, through the luck of the draw, they will begin their journey in this competition a stage later with a trip to Devizes Town or Wessex League Amesbury Town in the Second Qualifying Round. Both are Wiltshire rivals, with the former plying their trade in Division One of the Western League, where they finished 19th last season, after a bitterly disappointing campaign. Devizes have twice reached the quarter finals of the Vase – most recently in 2002/03 – and have met Bassett twice in FA competitions. In the 1936/37 season they met in the Amateur Cup, Devizes winning an eventful match 8-4, before they beat Bassett 4-0 in the FA Cup Preliminary Round in 1950/51. Amesbury's best Vase performance came in 1979/80 when they reached the third round proper; they have failed to negotiate their way through the qualifying rounds since a venture to the second round proper in 2006/07.
Should Bassett win, they would reach the First Round proper for only the third time in the club's history. Again though, they would be forced to travel having been drawn away to either Hellenic Premier high-flyers Ardley United, Hellenic League Division One West outfit Bicester Town – relegated last season – or Western League Division One sides Cadbury Heath (Vase quarter finalists back in 1975/76) or Westbury United, who Dave Turner's side beat in a classic FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round replay by the odd goal in five last year. 
 Second Qualifying Round – Devizes Town or Amesbury Town v Wootton Bassett Town (Saturday 18th September 2010)
First Round Proper – Bicester Town or Cadbury Heath or Westbury United or Ardley United v Devizes Town or Amesbury Town or Wootton Bassett Town (Saturday October 2nd 2010)
The club have this season decided not to enter the FA Youth Cup for the first time in seven seasons.

Bassett Pre-season Schedule- 30th June

In preparation for their return to the Hellenic League Premier Division, Dave Turner’s charges will face a rigorous pre-season schedule. Training began at Ballards Ash last night, with the first friendly fixture scheduled for Saturday July 10th when an intra-squad match will take place at Rylands Way. Three days later Bassett will play host to Swindon Town (Tuesday July 13th, 19.30 kick off), before travelling to take on County League side Wroughton on July 15th (Thursday 18.30 kick off).

On Saturday 17th July Bassett will host Southern League Premier side Swindon Supermarine before away fixtures against Hellenic League Division One West side Clanfield (Tuesday July 20th, 19.00 kick off) at Hunts Copse – Supermarine’s home ground – and reigning Wiltshire County League champions New College (Thursday July 22nd, 18.30 kick off). Saturday 24th July sees another fixture against opposition from last year, as Turner’s outfit travel to take on Letcombe (15.00 kick off) before a trip to Wiltshire rivals Pewsey Vale - newly promoted to the Wessex League – on Tuesday July 27th.

Bassett’s penultimate friendly will be significant in more than just a football sense as the club plays host to 1st Battalion The Rifles – based at Beachley Barracks in Monmouthshire – in a charity match, with funds from the game going to Help The Heroes. Currently this game is scheduled for Saturday 31st July, however it may yet take place a day later. Regardless on which day of the weekend this game takes place, it is hoped that as many people as possible will turn out to raise money for the most worthy of causes, so please make a date in your diary and come along to Rylands Way for this event.

The final line up match will be a visit to Melksham Town, who last season were relegated to Division One of the Western League, on Tuesday 3rd August (19.30 kick off).

Currently one home game has been scheduled for the Reserves, that being a home fixture against CATS on Thursday 12th August (19.30 kick off).

Training sessions will run from seven o’ clock onwards at Ballards Ash on Tuesdays and Thursdays where a friendly game is not scheduled.