Monday 31st July 2023
The third instalment of the Women's First Team 'Meet the squad' series profiles five talented young players, including two new signings, all of who will be aiming to ensure their team concede as few goals as possible.
Goalkeepers Millie Powell - a double Player of the Year award winners two seasons ago - and Nia Davies are both back to compete for the number one jersey. Centre half Neve Johnson - who signed part way through last season - will be aiming to further strengthen the solid partnership she has formed with Laura Jefferies. Meanwhile, talented full backs Honor Fraser and Darcy Cox are both new signings who will be aiming to impress in their first seasons in blue and yellow.
All five are talented players who have long futures ahead of them - and manager Adam Wood is delighted to be able to see them continue their development with Royal Wootton Bassett Town
Speaking of the players, the Bassett boss said: "Signing Millie and Nia together was always going to take a lot of thought because they are both extremely talented keepers for their age. We may look at dual signing one of them to ensure maximum game-time and development, but their priority will be to show us what they are capable of. Last season they had a defined split in game-time, whereas this season they will both be battling for that number one shirt - and what a great headache it will be for me! I'm extremely happy to have two young players owning a position where others may look for experience."
"I've known Neve for the best part of three years. She is another one of the players I was fortunate to have in the Swindon Under 16s title-winning campaign, but the partnership she formed with Jeffers towards the end of last season will take some breaking down. Neve is what I describe as one of the last of a dying breed of traditional centre backs. Not many will get past her one-on-one, but to bring her into the modern-day centre back she is developing confidence in carrying the ball forward."
"Honor and Darcy were targets for me as soon as the last season ended having previously worked with them both. With the changes in personnel we had at the end of last season, there was an obvious gap in the full back areas so when we were able to contact players I went straight to them. Both have had a fantastic preseason and rightly did not rush their decision about where to sign. But I am really excited to have two full backs who have a lot to offer going forward but are very sound defensively."
Detailed profiles of each player are available below.
All five players are available to sponsor for the 2023-24 season for just £50. If you are interested in sponsoring any of our Women's First Team players, please contact Chairman Paul Gerrish (paul.gerrish@rwbtfc.co.uk; 07946 629483).
Powell is a young goalkeeper entering her third season in senior football. She has great shotstopping ability and is also confident with the ball at her feet. Boasting a lot of talent and potential, she claimed the number one jersey early in the 2021-22 season season and never looked back, featuring sixteen times while earning both the Players' Player and Manager's Player of the Year awards for her excellent performances.
Powell went on to make another 22 appearances last season, starting all but three games. She has also actively contributed towards coaching some of the goalkeepers in the club's girls' teams, offering her expertise and guidance.
Davies is a promising young goalkeeper entering her second season with the club who will be providing competition for the number one jersey. The younger sister of forward Libby, Nia joined Bassett last season, making 16 appearances, including seven starts. Her debut - and first start - last season came in a 3-0 Wiltshire County Cup victory against Salisbury.
Johnson is a talented young defender who joined Bassett last season from Swindon Town. Johnson was part of Swindon's 2021-22 Under 16 Wiltshire County Women's and Girls' League double-winning side, earning Players' Player of the Year. She then featured twice for Swindon's Development side last season before joining Bassett. Playing 15 times and starting all but one game, Johnson formed a strong partnership with Laura Jefferies.
Fraser is a strong, technically gifted full back who joins Bassett this season from Swindon Town. Fraser featured for Swindon in each of the past three seasons. In the Covid-shortened 2020-21 campaign, she played six times for the Robins' Development team, scoring once. She then spent most of the 2021-22 season with Swindon's First Team, playing 14 times in the tier four FA Women's National League Division One South West before splitting time between the First and Development teams last year.
Joining from Swindon Town, Cox is a young full back who can also play at centre half. Cox isn't afraid of a strong challenge and can normally handle pacey attackers whilst also being a handful going forward herself. A member of Swindon's 2021-22 Under 16 Wiltshire County Girls' League double-winning side, she progressed into senior women's football last season, appearing 18 times for Swindon's Development side.
Last modified on Wednesday 2nd August 2023 at 15:12.