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Wednesday 2 October 2019

Lads Get Cup Shock - Royal Wootton Bassett Town vs. Hereford Lads Club

Interesting backdrop at The Gerard Buxton Sports Ground
We're still in the middle of cup season and as I'd seen most of the reachable teams at home in The FA Trophy I went for my first game in The Hellenic League Cup. There was a chance of a shock as Royal Wootton Bassett Town who were fourth bottom of the Premier Division and only got their first league win in mid week were hosting Hereford Lads Club who were in third in Division One West in their first season since been transferred from The West Midlands League. Wootton Bassett had already been knocked out of The Floodlit Cup by lower league opposition in the form of Malvern so The Lads Club would fancy their chances.

Kick off in a brand new cup (for me anyway)
Wootton Bassett start on the front foot but it doesn't take long for Lads Club to get on top. The visitors take a deserved lead as the Wootton Bassett defence let a ball forward bounce and when the ball falls for the forward he bends a shot past the keeper into the far corner. They should really get a second when the ball falls at the feet of a Lads Club attacker but he lashes the ball over the bar. As the half heads towards the end, Wootton Bassett come close with a shot that bends just wide.

Royal Wootton try to drive at the Lads Club defence
Wootton Bassett get an equaliser with a cracking shot from distance that flies past the Lads Club keeper into the top corner. Parity doesn't last long though, the Lads Club attacker gets the ball at the back post and he draws the keeper out before slotting between defenders to make it two one. With Wootton Bassett more of an attacking force now, they hit the bar with a close range header. Lads Club are then harshly (I thought) reduced to 10 men after a hard challenge but they don't let this setback affect them. They get the clinching goal as the forward beats his man before hammering home to seal the three one win. 

Wootton Bassett looking to get back into the game
It was a simple trip to Wootton Bassett with the first leg being a train to Swindon from Paddington, taking an hour. Then from the bus station you take the 55 bus right into the town. The museum that is open for a couple of hours before lunch is a good introduction to the town. Just around the corner is the brilliant Five Bells which had at least five ales and felt like a proper pub. If you want to watch the early kick off then The Cross Keys is a great spot to do so. The ground is on the edge of town and takes about half an hour to walk to. The clubhouse has the sports channels and a good selection of beers. The programme is brilliant with a lot of stats and interesting reading. A great introduction to The Hellenic League Cup.




Match action in the clubhouse corner






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