ROYAL Wootton Bassett Town boss Rich Hunter was pleased to get a difficult game out of the way early as he turns his attentions to the FA Cup.

Bassett were slow coming out of the blocks in their opening game of their Hellenic League Premier campaign on Wednesday night as Josh Bowden and Josh Murphy gave hosts Brackley Town Saints a two-goal cushion after just half an hour.

However, Bassett responded immediately through Callum Wright before Nathan Gambling got his first goal since his summer switch to the delight of Hunter.

“It was a difficult place to go,” he said. “The weather was horrendous, torrential rain, and we just got caught napping in the first 20 minutes.

“We never really got out of the blocks. We made a defensive error conceding the first goal, which was sloppy, and then a good strike from one of their lads and they were 2-0 up within 20 minutes.

“Then we seemed to wake up and showed some good character and started to play some good football and managed to get the two goals back before half time.

“Then, actually, I thought we could have gone on and won the game. Early on in the season, I’ll take a point away from home.”

Now Hunter’s side play host to Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division side Crawley Green in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup and, with both sides finishing 11th in their respective leagues last season, the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground chief is eyeing a win at home.

“The FA Cup is massive. It’s the one you look forward to in the summer,” he added.

“It’s exciting to be part of the FA Cup, it’s always fantastic to be part of, even in these early stages.

“We want to win it and go out there and put on a good display.

“I don’t know too much about them (Green) but it’s going to be a tough game, as all the FA Cup games are.

“I’m confident, we’ve had a decent pre-season and a good game on Wednesday.

“We’re going into it with high spirits and it’s always great to play at home.”

Fairford Town will look to go one better than their 1-1 draw with Tuffley Rovers on Tuesday night when they play host to Longlevens at Cinder Lane on Saturday.

Highworth Town will also play their first home game of the season, when Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division outfit London Colney make the trip to the Elms on Sunday.