TINKERMAN Dave Webb was delighted his tactical gamble paid off with Highworth comfortably knocking Marlborough Town out of the Wiltshire Senior Cup.

The second round clash was a potentional banana skin for defending champions Highworth and with Webb experimenting with a 4-3-3 formation and giving a few fringe players a run out, anything could have happened.

But the result went to form, although it took Highworth right up until half-time to break down a stubborn Marlborough Town defence.

Steve Yeardley got the breakthrough minutes before the interval which was a real sucker punch for the Wiltshire League side.

And the formalities were completed in the second half with Steve Robertson, Paul Cooper and Dan Bishop rounding off the rout for a delighted Webb.

“It was a professional performance,” said Webb. “Credit to Marlborough Town for getting the game on, their pitch was in superb condition. I was pleased with the performance, we changed the shape a little, trying out a 4-3-3 formation and it worked. Ben Snook came into midfield and with Paul Cooper and Steve Yeardley did really well.

“Steve Robertson also did well up top.”

Now Webb has his sights set on a favourable draw in the next round and insisted Highworth are taking this competition very seriously indeed.

“We want to defend the title,” he added. “I don’t think Highworth have defended it successfully before so we are desperate to do that.

“We want to win it. It’s a good competition because every match is a local derby and there are some very good teams in the competition. We really want to win it again though.”

Wootton Bassett failed to book their place in the hat for the third round draw .

The Ryland’s Way side bowed out after coming out second best from a seven-goal thriller against Shrewton.

But Bassett boss Dave Turner remained upbeat about the defeat despite going down to an 88th-minute winner.

“If I was a neutral I would have really enjoyed the match,” said Turner. “It was a real spectacle and I cannot really have any complaints. Obviously I am gutted to lose, especially in the last few minutes and when we had led by two goals but that’s football. I can’t fault my side, they gave their all and the score really could have been anything.”

Bassett fell behind early on but bounced back with goals from Alex Green, Terry Adams and Mitch Wyatt to lead 3-1 at the break. The adverse weather conditions favoured Shrewton in the second half and after pulling back to level they snatched victory at the death.

Turner also revealed that the club are losing the services of striker Green, who is set to join Southern League Hungerford Town.

“Alex Green is going to Hungerford,” admitted Turner. “It’s a blow for us but I’m pleased for the lad and we all wish him well.

“You cannot complain about losing a player when he is moving up to another level. He has been superb for us and I’m sure he can be a success at that level.”

Elsewhere in the Wilts Senior Cup, Purton’s clash with Laverstock & Ford was called off, as was Shrivenham’s Hellenic Premier Division clash at Abingdon and Fairford’s trip to Reading Town. In Division One West, Cricklade’s home clash with Slimbridge also fell foul of the weather.