Bemerton looking for an FA Cup shock

They warmed up for the trip to Berkshire with a 1-1 draw with visiting Bashley.

Bemerton started the brighter of the two teams and looked comfortable on the ball and dangerous going forward with Jack Slade’s aerial dominance looking like it would be key.

Bashley started having spells of good possession, but without really penetrating the home midfield or defence.

The only goal of the first half came when Slade cut in from the left hand side and his curling effort was deflected in for an own goal.

The second half was much the same, Bashley had good possession but mainly in their own half and Bemerton looked dangerous every time they went forward.

Slade had a good chance to make it two but his shot hit the side netting.

Substitute Charlie Young had a great opportunity to wrap the points up when put through one on one, but his effort just just wide.

This seemed to give Bashley a wake up call and for the final 15 minutes they were in complete control, forcing Bemerton back, but without creating any clear cut chances.

With the clock ticking down and in the first minute of injury time, a headed clearance fell to the edge of the box and the Bashley played smashed home the volley to level the match.

After the game, Bemerton boss Rae Hughes said: “This was a tough game, Bashley are a decent side and played some neat football, but I felt we were in control.

"They didn’t really look like scoring. For some reason we just shut down with 15 minutes to go and allowed them chances to get back in the game." He added: "It was a great strike to level it as well. It does feel like two points dropped though when you concede so late on.

"We are off and running now though and we look a much stronger unit than the first two games.

"We now turn our attention back to the FA Cup this weekend, travelling to current Vase holders Thatcham Town. We will go there with nothing to lose and give it our best shot. We like being the underdogs”