ROYAL Wootton Bassett Town boss Rich Hunter reckons his team can go toe-to-toe with Thame United on Saturday despite already having been well beaten by the same opposition earlier in the season.

Bassett, then under the guidance of Paul Braithwaite, were crushed 3-0 at home to Thame in the third game of the new Hellenic League Premier Division campaign back in August.

Hostilities between the sides will now renew in the FA Vase this weekend as the pair go in search of a place in the third qualifying round of the national competition.

Hunter took over in the Bassett hotseat late last month and claimed a third victory from his six matches in charge on Tuesday night with a superb 3-1 success away at high-flying Thatcham Town.

That result prevented Thatcham from climbing to the top of the table and Hunter hopes a similarly strong performance against Thame will yield more success.

“It was a really good win in midweek. Thatcham are a tough team, we knew it would be hard and we had a few players missing but we went there and played superbly,” said Hunter.

“We defended well and going forwards, we were ruthless. We had six or seven good chances and scored three of them, so it was a good effort.

“If we can reproduce what we did at Thatcham this weekend, then we should be okay.

“Thame are another good team. They beat us in the league earlier in the season so there’s a chance for a bit of revenge from our point of view.

“We are playing better than we were back then so I think we have got a good chance of going there and doing well.

“The previous manager was in charge then and I think we have just changed a lot as a team since then.

“Not necessarily personnel-wise but I think we are more organised now, we have a bit more togetherness and we have more confidence because we are winning games.”

Bassett have a full squad to pick from and Hunter is happy to have the luxury of a selection dilemma that a good run of form can bring.

He said: “It makes my job harder but those are the headaches you want to have. You want everyone pushing for selection.”

Elsewhere, Bassett’s fellow Premier Division side Highworth Town travel to Bashley, who are currently third in the Wessex League Premier Division following their relegation from the Southern League last season.

Division One West outfit New College have a rare Friday night game and are away at Toolstation League Premier Division leaders Melksham Town, while Fairford Town are also on the road against Fleet Spurs of Wessex League Division One on Saturday.