Under 15 and 18 Blues aim for cup glory

While Manchester City and Watford do battle for the FA Cup, Royal Wootton Bassett Town's Under 15 and 18 Blue teams will also be aiming for cup glory this Saturday as they play for their age groups' North Wilts League Cup titles at the County Ground.

The Under 15 Blues are first up, taking on Swindon Supermarine J (12.05pm kick off) before the Under 18 Blues face Stratton Juniors Pumas later in the afternoon (5.05pm kick off).

The younger of the two sides finished runners-up in North Wilts League Division One and also advanced to the semi-finals of the Wiltshire County Cup. Meanwhile, the Under 18s finished runners-up in Division One after a narrow 1-0 loss in their final league game against Malmesbury Victoria Youth DT and were edged out on penalties in the final of the Wiltshire Youth Cup.

Neither team has had an easy ride to the final of their North Wilts League Cup competition, with both recording an extra time victory along the way.

Under 15 Blue v Swindon Supermarine J

For the Under 15 Blues, that came in their semi-final contest against Division Two runners-up Castle Combe Colts. Eventually though, Bassett secured a 4-3 win courtesy of Kevin Prouse's brace and goals from Harry Farrow and Otis Lewis.

Bassett had started their journey in the second round with a 10-0 thrashing of FC Chippenham Youth Blues in which Farrow and Prouse both recorded hat-tricks.

That was then followed by a 5-1 triumph against Division Two FC Calne Youth Blue in the quarter final thanks to a Prouse pair and strikes from Farrow, Lewis and Rory Ryan.

Their final opponents Swindon Supermarine J also began their journey by recording a double-digit victory as they defeated Bassett's Yellow team 15-0 before seeing off Wroughton Youth Lighnting 8-1 in the last eight. They then faced Division One champions FC Chippenham Youth White, who Supermarine had lost to in the County Cup final, and sprung something of an upset by winning 5-4.

Saturday's final will be fourth meeting between Bassett and Supermarine this season.

Bassett won both league meetings, triumphing 4-2 at home before winning 3-2 away, with those six points being important in securing runners-up spot ahead of Supermarine. But Supermarine got the better of the teams' County Cup semi-final, sealing a 5-2 victory.

Under 18 Blue v Stratton Juniors Pumas

After being awarded victory in their second round tie against Shrivenham, Bassett Under 18 Blue team came close to being eliminated in their quarter final tie against Malmesbury Victoria Youth DT. But Bassett claimed a 4-2 win after extra time, as Cameron Bell notched a brace and Bailey Gallagher and Harrison Gough also found the target.

That win set up a semi-final against Division Two champions Highworth Town Juniors H and another close game ensued, with Bassett ultimately prevailing 3-1 thanks to two from Gallagher and a strike from Charlie McCuish.

Division Two opponents again await in the final, this time in the form of Stratton Juniors Pumas, who finished third. They began with a narrow 2-1 win away against division rivals Croft Junior Red before firing five goals without reply at home against Castle Combe Colts in the last eight. Stratton were paired with Division One Cirencester Town in the semi-final and booked their place in the showpiece with a convincing 4-1 victory.

Saturday's final will be the second time the teams have met this season, having faced each other in a thrilling Wiltshire Youth Cup semi-final in February. On that day, goals from McCuish (2) and Gallagher secured Bassett a narrow 3-2 triumph – and they will be hoping for the same outcome when they square off again at the County Ground.

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Best of luck to both Bassett teams in the final - and it will be great to see a fourth piece of cup silverware added to the club's collection this season after County Cup triumphs for the Ladies and Under 16 Blues.

Please do get along to the County Ground to show the two teams as much support as possible!