Monday 31st August 2026

Having earned promotion back to the South West Regional Women's Football League Premier Division for the first time since 2023, Royal Wootton Bassett Town would be forgiven for just wanting to consolidate their newly earned tier five status as the new season begins.

But manager James Lally and his side have bolder ambitions as they kick off their 2026-27 campaign. Bassett won't be satisfied with just securing safety. Instead, the teams want to be competing towards the head of the table, with the ultimate goal being, sooner rather than later, to get to tier four for the first time in the club's history.

Vying for a place at the top end of the table won't exactly be easy. The division - down to nine teams following Saltash United's recent disappointing withdrawal - is set to be a highly competitive one.

But Bassett, riding a crest of a wave following last season's Division One North title win, are confident they have the quality to do well.

Bassett's miserly defence - a clean sheet producing machine that was key to winning the title last year - remains firmly intact. And it has been added to with extra options in the form of talented youngster Freya Llewellyn - who spent last season with Marlborough Town and Swindon Town Development, as well as Mollie Smith and Lois Beer (both back from university) and the vastly experienced Rianne Bourne-Hallet.

An exciting new attacking option in the form of winger Freya Monk has been added too, alongside her former Swindon Development teammate Yazmin Hyams. And Bassett also will benefit from having Megan Young and Poppy Wannell - midseason acquisitions last season - available from the outset as they look to become more prolific in front of goal.

When they take the field, Bassett will come up against a small, but strong coterie of opponents.

Last season's runners up Forest Green Rovers, who only lost a single game, may be gone as the Gloucestershire side controversially decided to divert resources to their Men's team. But most of their squad are now with newcomers B2A FC.

Sherborne Town, third again last year, have been perennial challengers towards the top of the Premier Division and will fancy their chances this season. Meanwhile, relegated Portishead Town (led by former Bassett manager Jonny House) and fellow promoted side Yeovil Town (a former Women's Super League team who finished last season as Division One South champions) will have ambitions to reclaim their higher level status.

Bassett's remaining four opponents then represent the teams who finished in the middle of the Premier Division pack in 2025-26. Demonstrating the competitive balance in the division, just ten points separated fourth place Gloucester City from seventh place Pucklechurch Sports (who are now Yate Town), with AEK Boco - Bassett's opening day opponents - and Poole Town sandwiched between them.

It's set to be a fascinating campaign, and one in which Bassett will be looking to hit the ground running.

Bassett have enjoyed a competitive preseason in which they drew against higher level Abingdon United, recorded wins against Oxford City Development (1-0) and fellow tier five side Woodley United (5-1), while suffering narrow defeats against Southampton Women's (2-3) and last season's Division One North rivals Mangotsfield United (2-4). Those games have been tough, but rewarding.

Now the real action begins, with Bassett raring to go.

Last modified on Monday 31st August 2026 at 04:00.