Ladies net seven in Devon

Royal Wootton Bassett Town Ladies got back to winning ways with a comprehensive 7-0 victory away against Torquay United in the South West Regional Women's Football League Premier Division.

Dishing out yet more punishment to an opponent they had already thrashed in the Women's FA Cup earlier in the season, James Goddard and Jonny House's side picked up from where they had left off in that clash. They netted a half dozen times in a dominant first half display, while six different scorers were on target in all.

Long-serving midfielder Amber Egerton got the ball rolling on the quarter hour mark. Bassett's attack appeared to break down when Grace Eagles' through pass failed to find Lauren Kayll. But the ball came back to Laura Jefferies and she crossed for Egerton, who fired in from range.

The lead was doubled three minutes later when Torquay 'keeper Neave Gosling's clearance picked out Bassett's Lisa Coe, and she smashed into the net from twenty yards.

Coe turned provider for her team's third as she played a ball over the top of the defence that Lauren Kayll latched onto before coolly slotting into the bottom corner.

And three quickly became four when Kayll crossed for Hayley Huckin to guide home her ninth of the campaign.

Lily Withers' mazy run was almost rewarded with another goal as the visitors continued to pile on the pressure, but she narrowly missed the target after receiving a slight nudge from behind.

While that would have been some strike, Grace Eagles produced a fine solo effort to make it five, taking on four Torquay defenders before calmly placing beyond Gosling.

Bassett's sixth then arrived in first half stoppage time. Kayll whipped in a cross that Gosling was unable to claim and Egerton took full advantage, beating teammate Huckin to the ball to smash into the empty net for her second.

Given their comfortable advantage, Bassett did take their foot off the accelerator a little following the restart. And 'keeper Alice Farnell twice made great stops to preserve her side's clean sheet. On the hour, she brilliantly denied Amber Evans before saving low at her near post with fifteen minutes remaining to keep out Carmen Morison's tight-angled shot.

In between, Bassett managed to extend their lead further. Huckin and Withers combined well, with the latter crossing into the box where Aly Lyons was on hand to slot into the back of the net.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 20th October 2019 at 17:42