Bassett advance in the Challenge Cup despite spirited Longlevens comeback

Longlevens produced a spirited comeback, but were knocked out of the Hellenic League Marsh Challenge Cup by Royal Wootton Bassett Town, falling to a 4-3 defeat.

Having started the game well, a number of Levens players lost confidence and their way and conceded three goals in eight minutes to trail 4-0 after 38 minutes.

But Monty New’s first goal for the club reduced arrears before the break, with the striker nodding home his second just before the hour mark to keep the tie alive.

Substitute Sam Kelly ghosted in to make it 4-3 with just over 10 minutes to go, with Alex Knight having a late effort cleared off the line by Alan Griffin.

The visitors held on to secure their place in the next round of the cup, but both sides will be able to positives into their remaining league games – with Levens still fighting to secure their survival and Bassett still in the play-off hunt.

Longlevens return to league action next weekend, with a crucial home fixture with Fairford Town.

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The hosts went into the game without suspended duo Soyan Sherchan and Ollie Long, whilst Shiyak Sutherland was away and Shaun O’Connor out injured and the make shift side were nearly punished inside two minutes – but Alfie Presley dinked wide after getting on the end of a short back pass.

But Sam Collier’s side didn’t have to wait long for their opener, with Presley sliding the ball through for Dan Grieve to slot home.

Longlevens were firmly in the game and were playing some neat football until the 30th minute, when former Brimscombe & Thrupp man, Ollie Pitt, curled home from 20 yards to knock the stuffing out of the hosts.

From there, a disastrous eight minute spell saw a couple of the Longlevens players let themselves down by shying away.

They conceded a controversial third five minutes later and were left furious with the referee’s decision.

Bailey Gallagher was wiped out as he crossed from the right and the referee blew for a free kick. However, just after he blew his whistle, the ball looped over Kane Winman and into the back of the net.

A goal was awarded and the hosts were incensed as by the letter of the law, the ball was dead as soon as the whistle was blown.

But Bassett didn’t care and they made it 4-0 moments later, with Presley stepping up and converting from 12 yards after a foul in the box.

Alex Knight was the hosts brightest park in the first half, and after he closed down a short back pass to Bassett keeper Dan Brabham, the ball rebounded to New, who fired home just before half time.

New headed home a second just before the hour mark, as Jack Byard nipped in ahead of Dan Hill and stood a cross up to the back post.

As Bassett looked to see the game out, Longlevens set up a grand stand finish when Sam Kelly snuck in after the Bassett defenders stood still as a cross came in – with Kelly leaving Brabham rooted and it was game on.

Knight had the best chance of a leveller, but after slotting past Brabham, he saw his effort cleared off the line by the recovering Alan Griffin.

Longlevens came up short in the end, but will look to take the positives into their final six league matches, with the Gloucester-based side still needing a couple more wins to be assured of their Hellenic Premier status for another season.

Longlevens: Winman, Beardsell, Byard, Aoegun, R Williams, Holmes, Knight, C Williams, Marszalek, New, Mason

Subs: Kelly, Spencer, Martin, Haswell, Sysum

Royal Wootton Bassett Town: Brabham, Hill, Johnson, Hopkins, Corcoran, Case, Presley, Pitt, Grieve, Ouldridge, Gallagher

Subs: D Griffin, Pagliaroli, A Griffin, Witt

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Ryan Williams (Longlevens)