Weekend preview: Women aim to jump above Tigers

RWBTFC — Tuesday 27 October 2026

The second part of a home doubleheader this weekend sees sixth place Royal Wootton Bassett Town welcome fifth place Gloucester City on Sunday in, what for the hosts, is an important South West Regional Women's Football League Premier Division encounter. Having edged out Gloucester 2-1 when they met in the Women's FA Cup, Bassett will be looking for a second home win of the campaign against the Tigers - a result that would take them above their opponents in the table with two games in hand still to play. Victory will also keep Bassett in touch with the sides above Gloucester, who have all played at least a game more. It's been three weeks since Bassett last kicked a ball in anger, with James Lally's side frustrated at last week's postponement. But they will be fired up and ready for their encounter with Gloucester. Kick off on Sunday is 2pm at the Swindon Mercedes Stadium (Gerard Buxton Sports Ground). Admission is £4 for adults, £2 for concessions and free for RWBTFC youth members. Prior to that Saturday sees the Men's First Team face an extremely tough test away against Hellenic League Premier Division leaders - and title favourites - Roman Glass St George (3pm kick off). Winless in their last four league games, it's probably not the opponent Bassett will have wanted to face as they seek to break their slump. But, as underdogs, the game offers something of a free hit with the pressure on Roman Glass not to slip up in their quest to stretch their healthy ten point lead at the top. Also on Saturday the Development team are in home action as entertain reigning Wiltshire League Premier Division champions Shrewton United at the Swindon Mercedes Stadium (3pm kick off). Josh Connolly's side have won two in a row - and will be looking to extend that mini run in what is set to be a tough test against dangerous opponents who currently sit sixth and boast the division's second most potent attack. Admission on Saturday is £4 for adults, £2 for concessions and free for RWBTFC youth members.

Midweek preview: Bassett go again against Vics in Premier Shield

RWBTFC — Sunday 25 October 2026

Royal Wootton Bassett Town Men's First Team's busy October continues with a third straight midweek derby fixture on Tuesday as Malmesbury Victoria visit for the second time this month - this time in the opening round of the Wiltshire Premier Shield. A fortnight ago the teams played out a goalless draw in a tense Hellenic League Premier Division encounter. This time though - with both teams seeking a confidence boosting cup triumph - something has to give and a winner determined. After reaching the semi finals in both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 campaigns, Bassett will be looking to improve on their performance in the competition last season when they exited on penalties in the first round. Admission on Tuesday is £8 for adults and £5 for concessions (including RWBTFC youth members).

Pain in the rain as goal drought continues

RWBTFC — Saturday 24 October 2026

In order to climb their way up the Hellenic League Premier Division table, Royal Wootton Bassett Town need to win games. But to win games, they need to score goals - something that they continue to struggle to do.

For the fourth straight match - and the fifth time in six October outings, Bassett were blanked against Longlevens. That was despite playing for the best part of 50 minutes with a man advantage.

And, courtesy of Lewis Driscoll's well taken 12th minute goal, Bassett fell to a third straight Hellenic League Premier Divisjpn loss as Longlevens extended their unbeaten run to ten games.

Driscoll would be sent off as half time loomed.

But a stubborn defensive display from Longlevens, coupled with Bassett's continued struggles in front of goal, meant having the extra man failed to yield any dividend - or respite for a team who have reverted back to their early season ways after having seemingly turned the corner in September.

It's the second time already this season Bassett have had a four-game stretch without scoring. And opponents have now kept a clean sheet in eleven of the twenty fixtures Bassett have played in all competitions to date.

Bassett will be hoping to rediscover their scoring boots on Tuesday when they host Malmesbury Victoria in the Wiltshire Premier Shield. The teams played out a goalless draw in the league a fortnight ago. But something must give when they meet in knockout action.

Free Saturday Skills Sessions - break for school holidays

RWBTFC — Thursday 22 October 2026

The Free Saturday Skills Sessions (including Wildcats Girls Football) will be taking a break for the October school holiday period with no sessions on Saturday 24 and 31 October. The sessions will then resume on Saturday 7 November. Huge thanks to all who have attended so far this season, as well as the dedicated coaching team, for ensuring they continue to be a big success!

Bassett well beaten by Worthy derby winners

RWBTFC — Tuesday 20 October 2026

Royal Wootton Bassett Town suffered another heavy defeat as they fell to a 3-0 loss away at Highworth Town.

Just as Hallen were on Saturday, Highworth produced a clinical performance in front of goal as they convincingly claimed the derby spoils in Bassett's first visit to the Worthians' revamped Elms ground.

For Bassett, it means their regression in league form continues - with the game another clear lesson that you have take your chances when they come.

The game was ultimately decided in the opening twenty minutes of the second half - a period in which Bassett spurned three great chances and Highworth scored twice.

Bassett trailed going into the break courtesy of a well taken finish from Liam Lye-Owens - who came through Bassett's youth section - right on the stroke of half time.

At that stage, the game was finely poised.

Early on there had been little goalmouth action, instead being a midfield battle with tackles flying around in a typically charged derby.

Both teams then had good opportunities as the half neared its end, though it seemed as if they would go into the break deadlocked.

That was until Lye-Owens found the top corner from the edge of the box.

Jonny Aitkenhead got the reaction he would have been looking for as Bassett started the second half brightly with both Tommy Ouldridge and Louis Spalding coming agonisingly close.

But Highworth delivered a sucker punch on 55 minutes when an unmarked Leon Morrison headed in from a Liam Haines cross at the far post.

George Cook then struck narrowly wide for the visitors before Chaldon Valere forced a good save from Luke Purnell at the other end.

And a third soon arrived for the hosts on 66 minutes to well and truly kill the game off as Dayo Sonoiki slammed home from a Francis Abijo cut back.

Bassett could not summon a reply as they ended up well beaten with Highworth preserving their clean sheet.

In 19 competitive fixtures so far this season, Bassett have scored just 14 times. Those goals have come in nine games, with opponents having now blanked Bassett ten times.

And they need to resolve their struggles in front of goal if they are to inch their way up the table.

Weekend preview: Men host Longlevens as Women visit Yeovil

RWBTFC — Tuesday 20 October 2026

Royal Wootton Bassett Town Men's First Team are back in home action on Saturday when Longlevens visit in the Hellenic League Premier Division (Swindon Mercedes Stadium, Gerard Buxton Sports Ground, 3pm kick off). Jonny Aitkenhead's side will be looking to close the gap on their visitors as they continue to seek to climb a congested table. Longlevens may have won the lottery recently, but Bassett have typically struck the jackpot when facing Saturday's opponents with 12 wins and just five defeats in 21 previous league encounters. Longlevens did get the better of Bassett last season though, winning 6-2 at home before a 1-1 draw in Wiltshire. Admission on Saturday is £8 for adults, £5 for concessions and free for RWBTFC youth members. Then on Sunday the Women's First Team are back after a weekend off as they make the trip to Somerset for a first ever meeting with Yeovil Town (2pm kick off). Yeovil currently sit second in the South West Regional Women's Football League Premier Division, though Bassett have the opportunity to pull within three points of their hosts with a game in hand still to play. Also this weekend the Development team are in cup action as they visit near neighbours Purton Kingsdown in the second round of the Fountains Trophies Cup (Saturday, 2.30pm kick off).

Youth Section Review: Holley hits hat trick amid County Cup drama!

RWBTFC — Sunday 18 October 2026

The last weekend before half term was full of Wiltshire County Cup action with nine of Royal Wootton Bassett Town's youth section sides looking to progress. And it proved to be a weekend full of drama with five sides advancing to the next round. The Under 14 Yellows led the way, scoring five times away at Ramsbury Youth to secure a 5-2 victory in the second round of the County Cup Plate. Rupert Holley netted a stunning hat trick with Lakhveer Grewal and Adam Trowbridge completing the scoring for the Yellows. The Yellows' three-goal winning margin was one of several impressive cup results for Bassett, with the Under 14 Blues producing the day's biggest scoreline. They struck nine times - seven of which came in the first half - in a commanding 9-1 victory over Bradford Town Bobcats in the second round of the County Cup. Cameron Greaney (3), Ryan Pocock (2), Jack Saunders (2), William Mason and Taylor Wakefield scored for Bassett. The Under 15 Yellows were also in fine form on the road, recording a 6-1 win against Trowbridge Town in the first round of the County Cup Plate. It was another emphatic performance from a Bassett side that demonstrated its attacking quality away from home, with Harry North scoring three, and Jayden Hanks, Mateusz Miniuk and an own goal rounding things off. There was further cup success for the Under 16 Yellows, who showed tremendous composure to progress against Malmesbury Youth. Goals from Josh Bennett, Archie Loyal and Harrison Giles earned a thrilling 3-3 draw in the first round of the County Cup Plate, with Bassett edging the penalty shoot-out 7-6 to book their place in the next round. The Under 12 Blues also came through a closely contested cup encounter, beating FOF FC Sonics 4-3 in the second round of the County Cup. In a seven-goal thriller, the Blues did just enough to secure an important victory. Louie Dix scored a brace while Harry Greaney and Luca Harrison also netted. Elsewhere, the Under 16 Blues were narrowly beaten 3-2 away at league rivals Marlborough Youth Beagles in the first round of the County Cup, with Corey Cooper and Rudi Iles-Jones on target. The Under 13 Blues exited the competition following a 5-2 defeat at Bemerton Heath Harlequins Black, with their hosts pulling away in the second half after the teams went into the break level at 2-2. The Under 13 Yellows also suffered a narrow cup defeat, losing 2-1 away at Calne Town Eagles in the second round of the County Cup Plate. Away from the cup competitions, Bassett's Under 18 sides both recorded convincing North Wilts League wins. The Blues defeated Swindon Rovers 6-1 in Division One, while the Yellows maintained their perfect start to their Division Three campaign with a 4-0 victory over Marlborough Youth.

Girls’ Section Review: Under 17s back to winning ways

RWBTFC — Saturday 17 October 2026

After a challenging recent run, Royal Wootton Bassett Town Under 17z secured a well-deserved 3-2 win against Malmesbury Youth in a fantastic performance, despite being short on players due to the school holidays. The girls worked hard throughout the game and produced some excellent play in the final third. Eliza set up Esme for the opening goal, before Daisy assisted Esme for her second of the game. Esme then turned provider, setting up Eliza to get on the scoresheet and round off a great team performance. The girls made hard work of it towards the end but dug deep and showed great determination to see the game out. Although there were areas to improve on, the overall performance was very positive and the result was thoroughly deserved. Amber, Freya and Eliza were outstanding, bringing fantastic energy and work rate to the team throughout. Hannah also produced a brilliant save towards the end, making an important contribution to securing the win. Overall, it was a great performance from the whole squad, showing plenty of teamwork, determination and quality, especially with a reduced number of players. The girls had plenty to be proud of after a well-earned victory.

Under 14s

The Under 14s were also victorious, securing their sixth consecutive win with a hard-fought 1-0 victory away to a strong Nalgo Sports Eagles side, moving them into second place in the North Wilts League table. The girls knew they were in for a tough, closely contested game, and they certainly delivered a battling performance from the first whistle. Within the opening ten minutes, Amelia produced a brilliant save in goal, while captain Tia made a superb sliding tackle to keep the score level. The team worked tirelessly, competing for every ball and showing tremendous determination throughout. The breakthrough finally came in the 30th minute, just before half-time. A lovely pass from Georgia sent Gracie through on goal, and she finished brilliantly with her left foot to score her first goal in Bassett colours. It was a fantastic moment and a reward for the team's hard work. After the break, Georgia stepped up to take over in goal, showing great team spirit and willingness to help wherever needed. The girls continued to create chances and push for a second goal, with both Gracie and Christina coming close. However, it remained a real battle until the final whistle, as the team dug deep, defended resolutely and worked together to secure all three points. There were several standout performances. Olivia was fantastic alongside Tia, showing strength and determination throughout, even while carrying a slight injury. Felicity continued to demonstrate her improvement week after week, while Georgia and Amelia both deserved credit for stepping into goal without hesitation and putting the team first. Tia was named Player of the Match following an outstanding performance. After two weeks out, she led from the back with strength, determination and a real desire to win, making her a thoroughly deserving recipient of the votes. Six wins in a row, second place in the table and a team full of fight, determination and togetherness. The girls had plenty to be proud of after a brilliant away performance. Attention now turned to a big home fixture against FC Abbey Meads Blue in two weeks' time, with the team looking to carry this momentum forward into training and their next match.

Under 12s

The Under 12s were unlucky to come away with a 2-0 defeat against Blunsdon after a strong performance in which they controlled much of the game and created plenty of positive play. The girls worked hard throughout and showed good determination, with the result ultimately decided by two breakaway goals from the opposition. It was a frustrating outcome, particularly as the team felt they had done enough to take something from the game. An almost certain goal was also ruled out, adding to the disappointment. Despite the result, there were plenty of positives to take away. Freya battled brilliantly and kept Blunsdon's number six quiet for much of the game, showing great commitment and determination. The team also continued to compete well physically against a side that had a noticeable size advantage, never shying away from a challenge. Maddie was recognised for her fantastic fighting spirit and willingness to get stuck in. Her attitude and determination were exactly what the team needed, and she set a great example for her teammates. Although the result did not reflect the team's performance, the girls could be proud of their efforts and the way they approached the game. There was plenty of quality on show, and they were unfortunate not to get the result their performance deserved. The team would look to take the positives into the next game and continue building on the progress they had shown.

Under 15s

The Under 15s also fell to defeat, losing 5-0 to Nalgo Sports Cobras. With Bassett sitting fourth and Nalgo leading the table, this fixture had the potential to be a top-of-the-table clash, and the home side certainly rose to the challenge in a strong first-half performance. Bassett started brightly, working tirelessly in midfield and playing some excellent football in the process. Kailen made her Bassett debut in goal in place of the unavailable Chloe and settled into the game well, producing several crucial saves to keep the visitors at bay. Bassett created opportunities of their own, forcing the Nalgo goalkeeper into action on several occasions. The best chance fell to Lily following some tremendous team play, but her effort was denied by the visiting keeper. Shortly afterwards, Nalgo took the lead with a moment of quality, as an attacker used her pace to get through on goal and calmly finish one-on-one. The visitors then added a second through another quick counterattack, with Kailen getting a fingertip to the effort but being unable to keep it out. Despite finding themselves two goals behind, Bassett continued to press, compete and force Nalgo into difficult decisions. The quality of football on display was excellent, and the first half showed just how well the team could perform against the league leaders. The second half proved more difficult for the home side, as Nalgo capitalised on their opportunities to add three further goals. Bassett continued to work hard and tried to find a consolation, but it was not to be. The back four put in a strong shift throughout, while Kailen continued to make important saves and blocks to prevent the scoreline from becoming even heavier. Her performance on her debut was a particular positive to take from the game. Although the final result was disappointing, there were plenty of positives for Bassett to build on. The first-half display demonstrated excellent teamwork, determination and quality on the ball, and the team could take confidence from their performance against the league leaders as they looked ahead to their next fixture.

Clinical Hallen close the gap

RWBTFC — Saturday 17 October 2026

Royal Wootton Bassett Town slumped to a 3-0 home defeat against Hallen as their hopes of creating some breathing space between themselves and the sides below them in the Hellenic League Premier Division table went unfulfilled.

Following on from Tuesday's draw against Malmesbury Victoria, Bassett again were unable to capitalise against a team sitting below them in the standings as their attempts to climb the table stalled.

And this time they were swept aside, falling to defeat thanks to their visitors' clinical finishing.

Bassett certainly had their chances in the game, being guilty of spurning a handful of great opportunities. Yet the three goals they conceded were all avoidable. And their performance was an otherwise passive one with no shift in urgency, tempo or attacking intent as it became increasingly necessary to chase the game.

Jonny Aitkenhead's side trailed as early as the third minute. Bassett were undone by a well worked goal, but their failure to apply pressure to the visitors as they circulated the ball in the final third played a key role in allowing Hallen to forge ahead.

The move culminated in Louis Sweeten adding a deft touch to Harry Goldspink's line splitting pass, which freed Josh Williams in behind for a simple finish.

It was then almost two in the tenth minute as a poor touch from Kian McNally presented an opportunity to Harrison Fairman, who rattled the post from a tight angle.

Fairman would eventually do significant damage to Bassett - and punish the hosts for their profligacy.

Bassett first threatened when Harrison Edwards' clipped shot from the edge of the area went straight at Ben Clark following an Alfie Presley square ball.

Ed Oatley then glanced a header wide from a Louis Spalding cross before two gilt-edged opportunities went begging.

A strong Miguel Alves tackle won the ball back deep inside Hallen territory. Edwards seized on the loose ball and, after cutting inside, released an unmarked Oatley with a free pass but the Bassett forward blazed just wide with his first time shot.

Minutes later great interplay between Edwards, Spalding and Joah Hall opened up Hallen down the left side. Spalding squared inside for Ed Taylor twelve yards from goal and his side foot effort drew a fine reflex save from Clark.

Those narrow misses proved costly as Hallen doubled their lead on 27 minute.

Chasing a long pass over the top played into the left channel, Fairman beat an onrushing Connor to the ball before hooking a controlled left foot drive into the empty net from a difficult angle.

Bassett now faced an uphill battle - and their situation could have got worse before the interval as Sweeten saw a long range drive fly just wide of the right post before Connor batted away from Fairman after he cut inside Josh Blyth.

Half time eventually arrived as something of a relief for Bassett - and the expectation was that they would come out for the second half and bring the fight to Hallen to try and get back in the game.

Instead, Hallen set the tone.

A snap 20 yard shot from Fairman forced an alert parry from Connor less than a minute after the restart before a goalline block from Blyth denied Noah Blundell as Bassett failed to clear from a corner and play was recycled.

And Hallen's third eventually arrived just before the hour. Fairman was the man on target again as he steered home after neat combination play from Goldspink and Sweeten opened up Bassett, temporarily reduced to ten men with Alves in the sin bin, down the left side.

Bassett should have pulled one back seven minutes later as Presley's reverse pass left Oatley with just Clark to beat. However, after the Bassett forward hesitated to pull the trigger the Hallen 'keeper smothered at this feet.

Clark was called into action again as he dove low to parry a curling Presley strike. The ball was eventually put out for a corner from which Hall lifted over from ten yards following a scramble in the box.

Bassett couldn't find the extra gear needed and came close to conceding a fourth as Fairman - searching for his hat trick - dragged just wide after Bassett failed to deal with a ball over the top.

One final chance fell to the hosts after a strong run from Oatley but Presley skewed over from his cutback.

Midweek preview: Bassett visit Worthians in Tuesday derby

RWBTFC — Sunday 18 October 2026

Another midweek fixture, another derby for Royal Wootton Bassett Town. On Tuesday Jonny Aitkenhead's side make the short trip across Swindon to face in form Highworth Town in the Hellenic League Premier Division (7.45pm kick off). The Worthians have shot up the table in recent weeks after a slow start and now find themselves around the playoff places. Their return home has helped with the now slope-free Save On Tyres Stadium having seen Highworth win three out of four games so far (including last week against Cirencester Town). Tuesday will be Bassett's first trip to the newly renovated ground, with the visitors hoping to put a dent in their hosts' upturn in fortunes - and to try and narrow the gap to them. Bassett's recent record away at Highworth has been a mixed one. Aitkenhead's team suffered a 1-0 defeat there last season in a game that they largely controlled. Prior to that, Bassett had won twice in their previous seven visits - with one of those triumphs being a playoff semi final. Games between the teams are typically lively affairs - and Tuesday should be no different.

Derby stalemate

RWBTFC — Tuesday 13 October 2026

Royal Wootton Bassett Town's highly anticipated Hellenic League Premier Division derby against Malmesbury Victoria proved to be a rather tense affair with the contest ending goalless.

It said a lot that the game - pitting two sides in the bottom third of the table against one another - drew a larger crowd than the other derby of the night between Highworth Town and Cirencester Town, two of the division's in form sides.

Over 200 were in attendance at the Swindon Mercedes Stadium (the third game to break that figure this season, with all games having been derbies). In contrast, Highworth and Cirencester attracted 173 - a still healthy number.

That reflected the intrigue in the match with Jonny Aitkenhead coming up against his predecessor as Bassett manager Sam Collier, who took to the opposing dugout with Alan Griffin for their first match in charge since assuming the reigns with the Vics.

There would ultimately be nothing to separate the sides though, with both managers arguably frustrated at the outcome.

For Bassett, the game was an opportunity to both pull themselves towards the middle of the pack and away from one of the sides below them in the table. Meanwhile for Malmesbury the hope would have been to extricate themselves from the bottom two while hitting the ground running with their new manager.

Neither side was able to fulfill those ambitions in a game that was tight and short on real attacking quality, despite the game at times being stretched.

Bassett had the better of the opportunities in the first half. An unmarked Alfie Presley skewed over from close range after Harrison Edwards' bustling run and cutback from the right.

Saturday's two goal hero George Cook fluffed his lines when set free by Edwards before a far post header from Joah Hall went narrowly wide.

Ed Taylor then came close to breaking the deadlock but was denied by Harry Pickering's superb instinct save as the Malmesbury 'keeper stopped low to parry his header from eight yards out from Ollie Smith's towering cross.

At the other end Kai Robinson initiated a counter after robbing Presley but Otis Lewis was unable to convert as he steered over from the edge of the box.

After the restart Malmesbury grew into the game more and Lewis Clark was forced into an alert save after Jordan Sykes used his strength to advance to the byline and cut back for Matt Morris to shoot from ten yards.

A Bassett break ended in Pickering tipping wide at his near post from an Ed Oatley drive.

Malmesbury then had the second period's best opening when Lewis, unmarked and ten yards out, skewed across the face of goal and wide after a low cross from the left.

Late on Pickering again denied Taylor who did well to connect with a back post header from a Presley cross.

Bassett's Player of the Match Clark then pulled off two big stops late on. He first came charging off his line to bravely deny Harry Sealey at his feet after a long ball over the top caught Bassett on the break.

Then when the Bassett defence was stretched, Clark was forced to save on the dive as Sealey turned and shot from ten yards out after Gabe Costello played a ball into the box.

The two teams go again at the Swindon Mercedes Stadium in just a fortnight's time in the opening round of the Wiltshire Premier Shield. That night something has to give.

Weekend preview: Bassett set for Saturday home double

RWBTFC — Tuesday 13 October 2026

There's a double dose of action at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground this Saturday afternoon with both the Men's First and Development teams at home. In the Hellenic League Premier Division, Bassett welcome Hallen (Swindon Mercedes Stadium, 3pm kick off) as Jonny Aitkenhead's side look to extend their solid run of form. It's a vital game for Bassett too with Hallen just below in the table. The game is the second meeting between the teams this season after they played out a 1-1 draw on opening day. Bassett are unbeaten at home in their last four home fixtures against Hallen, though that run includes three draws. Admission is £8 for adults, £5 for concessions and free for RWBTFC youth members. Also on Saturday the Development team aim to get back to winning ways in the Wiltshire League Premier Division when they host Bishops Cannings (AGP, 2pm kick off). Bassett have recorded just one point from their last five games. And Saturday's encounter promises to be a tough one with recently promoted Bishops Cannings flying high in fourth. Admission is £4 for adults, £2 for concessions and free for RWBTFC youth members. The Women's First Team are without a game this weekend.

Bassett bounce back with confident win

RWBTFC — Sunday 11 October 2026

A victory and a clean sheet were just what the doctor ordered as Royal Wootton Bassett Town claimed a deserved 2-0 win against Yate Town in the South West Regional Women's Football League Premier Division.

Two consecutive defeats - including last week's Women's FA Cup humbling away at Bridgwater United - had set Bassett back after a solid opening three games.

But James Lally's side put those results behind them with a valuable three points against Yate that keeps them firmly in touch with the teams at the top. And the final score didn't reflect the nature of Bassett's dominance of a game in which they were unlucky not to win by a much bigger margin.

Bassett were on top for the majority of the match and had good opportunities to lead early.

Tori Taylor flashed a header just wide from a Poppy Wannell cross following a short corner. A double chance then saw a Megan Young effort blocked following Elle Scott's through ball before Shawna Hannam parried Wannell's rebound effort.

Bassett eventually led after a swift counter on the half hour mark.

Scott would start and finish the move. She intercepted the ball midway inside her own half before midfield partner Taylor advanced play with a pass to Young. A surging run from Young stretched the Yate defence and, on the edge of the area, she turned before setting back to Scott, who rode a challenge and swept a confident finish into the bottom right corner.

The woodwork denied Bassett a second shortly after as their pace continued to cause Yate's defence problems with Wannell steering onto the post from Young's cutback from the byline. Yate failed to clear and Scott shot narrowly wide from the edge of the area.

Bassett did get their second ten minutes into the second half. Laura Jefferies swung in a corner to the near post and, after shedding her marker, Young produced a composed side foot volley from close range that flew in.

The hosts were unfortunate not to have a third when a long kick from Millie Powell set Freya Monk in behind the defence. The young winger had the beating of a Hannam with a low drive but struck the right upright.

Scott then smashed narrowly over on the half volley from a Taylor corner.

Yate had a decent late spell but failed to really trouble Powell as Bassett preserved their first clean sheet of the season.

And Bassett threatened again late on with Wannell firing into the side netting after latching onto another dangerous through ball.

All in all, it was a good afternoon's work thanks to a determined and motivated performance.

Youth Section Review: Under 13 and 14 Blues march on in League Cup

RWBTFC — Sunday 11 October 2026

Royal Wootton Bassett Town enjoyed a productive Sunday in North Wilts League Cup competition, with the the Under 13 and 14 Blues both winning convincingly to advance to the last sixteen. The Under 13 Blues led the way with a 4–0 victory over Draycott Evolution Shamrocks. The Blues produced an impressive performance to secure their place in the next round, keeping a clean sheet while scoring four times through Elliot Brady, Joshua Kirkup and Nate Rich to cap a successful cup outing. The Under 14 Blues were also in emphatic form, recording the standout scoreline of the day with a 9–1 win over Shrivenham Hoops. It was a dominant display from start to finish, as Bassett's powered their way through to the next stage. Cameron Greaney led the way with a hat trick while William Mason (2), Ellis Paviour (2), Veer Chavda and Josh Wright completed the scoring. Those sides will be enjoyed in the last sixteen by the Under 14 Yellows who were awarded victory in their tie against Blunsdon Black. It was a more difficult cup Sunday for the Under 15 Yellows, who faced a tough test, losing 7–1 at home to Blunsdon, and Under 13 Yellows, who were beaten 8–0 by Purton Youth Bears. Away from the cup action, the Under 16 Blues delivered one of the weekend's most impressive league results, beating Faringdon Town 8–0 in North Wilts League Under 16 Division Two. The comprehensive victory demonstrated the side's attacking strength and defensive organisation. On target for Bassett were Rudy Iles-Jones (4), Corey Cooper, Sergio Estrada, Suneal Fasasi and Kenwyn George. The Under 18 Blues also enjoyed success on the road, earning a 4–1 away win against Wanborough Junior Black in Division One. The result provided a valuable boost to their league campaign as Bassett won for the second time. The Under 16 Yellows suffered a 9–1 defeat away to Purton Youth Wolves, while the Under 12 Yellows were beaten 4–1 away to Ramsbury Youth. Despite those setbacks, the cup wins for the Under 13 and Under 14 Blues provided plenty of encouragement, with both sides progressing their knockout campaigns in style.

Midweek preview: Vics visit in intriguing Tuesday derby

RWBTFC — Sunday 11 October 2026

Royal Wootton Bassett Town are back in Hellenic League Premier Division action on Tuesday night - and Jonny Aitkenhead's side are set for an exciting derby at home against Malmesbury Victoria (7.45pm kick off). Both Bassett and recently promoted Malmesbury are looking to edge their way up the table as they enter the third month of the season in the bottom half. So plenty is on the line when they meet at the Swindon Mercedes Stadium (Gerard Buxton Sports Ground). There is set to be added intrigue too as Malmesbury begin life under new management team Sam Collier and Alan Griffin, who return to their former club for their first game in charge of the Vics. Bassett are unbeaten in their last seven home league games against Malmesbury - a run that includes three straight wins. But Malmesbury took the spoils when they last met in a game played at Cirencester Town's Corinium Stadium, winning 3-0. Admission on Tuesday is £8 for adults, £5 for concessions and free for RWBTFC youth members.

Girls’ Section Review: County Cup hat trick!

RWBTFC — Sunday 11 October 2026

There was a hat trick of County Cup wins for Royal Wootton Bassett Town's Girls' Section sides this weekend as the Under 12s, 14s and 15s all advanced to the quarter final stage. Congratulations to all three teams as they took another step towards potential silverware! Under 15s The Under 15s booked their place in the next round of the County Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Durrington Seahawks, following a 2-2 draw after normal time. Bassett started well, defending into the wind, and took the lead after just three minutes. Some excellent play down the wing allowed Sienna to find Ava, who tapped home to make it 1-0. Bassett continued to play well, defending solidly and limiting Durrington's opportunities. Poppy impressed in midfield, creating attacking opportunities, while Mia came close to doubling the lead just before half-time but fired narrowly wide. The second half proved much more difficult, with poor decision-making in the final third preventing Bassett from creating enough clear-cut chances. A defensive mistake allowed Durrington to equalise, and suddenly the tie was level at 1-1. With ten minutes remaining, Sienna found Eryn inside the penalty area, whose flick picked out Lily Lloyd at the back post to fire home and restore Bassett's lead at 2-1. However, Bassett were unable to hold on, as Durrington converted from a corner at the far post to make it 2-2 and send the tie to penalties. The shootout began nervously, with Ava seeing her penalty saved and Mia firing over. Chloe then kept Bassett in the contest with an excellent save. Sienna, Poppy and Izzy all converted, while Durrington also found the net to take the shootout into sudden death at 3-3. Elise stepped up and struck the crossbar, but the ball crossed the line to give Bassett a 4-3 lead. Chloe then produced another crucial save from Durrington's final penalty to secure the victory! Player of the Match votes went to Poppy for her quality in midfield and Chloe for her outstanding contribution to getting Bassett over the line and into the next round. Chloe's crucial penalty saves proved decisive in a tense shootout. It certainly wasn't Bassett's best performance, but cup football is all about finding a way through, and the girls showed resilience to get over the line. They booked their place in the next round after a dramatic afternoon. Under 14s The Under 14s secured an incredible 8-1 victory over Derry Hill United Flames to book their place in the next round of the County Cup. The girls made a flying start, with Christina opening the scoring after just five minutes with a fantastic long-range effort. She soon doubled her tally after capitalising on a goalkeeping error before Georgia made it 3-0 with a shot through the keeper's legs. Christina then completed a superb first-half hat-trick with another stunning strike into the roof of the net, giving Bassett a commanding 4-0 lead at half-time. Following five substitutions, Bassett took a little time to settle but soon found their rhythm again. Kacy grabbed her first goal of the season to make it 5-0, before a Gracie effort was turned into the net by a Derry Hill defender. Kacy then completed her brace from a brilliant Gracie cross to make it 7-0. Chloe rounded off the scoring for Bassett with a well-deserved rebound finish after the keeper saved her long-range effort. Derry Hill grabbed a consolation goal, but Bassett ran out convincing 8-1 winners. The girls were fantastic throughout, showing tremendous effort, determination and teamwork. Player of the Match went to Kacy, deservedly recognised by the Derry Hill team after her two goals and tireless midfield performance. Under 12s The Under 12s booked their place in the next round of the County Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Marlborough Youth Merlins at home. It was arguably one of the most dominant 1-0 wins you could see, with the girls producing some outstanding football despite the challenging pitch making clear-cut chances difficult to come by. Annabelle scored an absolute peach to get the ball rolling in front of goal, however no more goals were to hit the back of the net despite the dominant performance. Bassett experimented with a back three, a formation that could prove useful at different stages of the season, and the girls adapted brilliantly, looking solid defensively throughout. Annabelle was deservedly awarded Player of the Match by the opposition for her excellent performance, while Katie received our Player of the Match award after making her debut and showing great bravery in wanting to get on the ball. Under 17s In the league the Under 17s faced a tough away trip against leaders Tyrone Mings Phoenix and unfortunately suffered an 8-1 defeat. After missing last week through illness, Esme Loveday returned to the side and made an immediate impact, converting a great opportunity to get Bassett on the scoresheet. The goal came following a perfectly weighted, pinpoint ball over the top from Eliza, who picked out Esme brilliantly. Unfortunately, Tyrone Mings proved a difficult opponent, dominating much of the game and showing why they sat at the top of the table. Bassett worked hard and created a few promising opportunities of their own but were unable to take advantage of those chances. Despite their efforts, the hosts proved clinical in front of goal and went on to secure victory. Although the result was disappointing, the girls could take positives from Esme's return and the goal created through excellent link-up play with Eliza. Attention now turns to a crucial home fixture next week against Malmesbury Victoria. The girls will be looking to regroup, learn from the experience and bounce back with a big performance in an important game.

Cooking on gas

RWBTFC — Saturday 10 October 2026

A George Cook double helped Royal Wootton Bassett Town knock off second place Thornbury Town as Jonny Aitkenhead's side continued their impressive form of late with a 3-1 away Hellenic League Premier Division victory.

On a windy afternoon Bassett were forced to come from behind, but were worthy winners in the end as they climbed a place in the table to sixteenth.

Thornbury took the lead midway through the first half when Arron Sweete caught Harrison Edwards dwelling on the ball before releasing Callum Chalmers for a simple finish past helpless debutant 'keeper Max Connor.

However the hosts were ahead for only a handful of minutes.

Quickly making up for his lapse in judgement, Edwards threaded a through ball into the right channel for Ed Taylor to run onto. Taylor then rode a sliding challenge from Nathan Sage before getting to the byline and cutting back for an unmarked Cook who swept home from close range.

Edwards was involved again when Bassett went ahead on the hour mark. Doing well to control a pass arrowed out from the back by Louis Spalding in the middle of the park, he showed great skill and strength to shrug off the attentions of half time substitute Keanu Miller. He then fed Cook on the right who did the rest, cutting inside left back Ash Fowler before coolly steering into the bottom left corner.

Minutes later Cook almost turned provider as he set an overlapping Ollie Smith free but Thornbury 'keeper Mackenzie Welsh pulled off a fine low save to deny the marauding Bassett full back.

It was soon three though as Bassett clinched the points.

Smith's clipped pass into the right channel caused problems for the Thornbury defence, allowing Taylor to nip in to steal possession before racing past an onrushing Welsh and tapping into an empty net.

While still in the bottom third of the table, just three points separate now Bassett from a place in the top half in what is becoming a congested, wide open field.

Given their position in the table, Aitkenhead's team do need to keep the momentum they have built going though. And Tuesday's derby against Malmesbury Victoria offers a chance both to edge further up the table and add a bit of distance between themselves and the drop zone.

Weekend preview: Bassett aim to kickstart league campaign against Yate

RWBTFC — Tuesday 06 October 2026

Sunday sees Royal Wootton Bassett Town host Yate Town as they return to South West Regional Women's Football League Premier Division action at the Swindon Mercedes Stadium (2pm kick off). The second of two home fixtures this weekend in which both teams are fighting to improve their league position, Bassett will be looking to record a victory to kickstart their league campaign and make it two wins from four games. Yate - who Bassett will be racing for the first time in competitive action - enter the contest still searching for their first league point as they sit bottom in the early running. Nevertheless the visitors will enter on a high after winning in the FA Women's Cup last weekend. Admission is £4 for adults, £2 for concessions and free for RWBTFC youth members. Prior to that, Saturday sees the Men's First Team complete their Hellenic League Premier Division season series with Thornbury Town (3pm kick off), as Jonny Aitkenhead's side seek to avenge a narrow 2-1 home defeat at the end of August. Thornbury have enjoyed a stellar start to the season and currently sit second. Their games have invariably been close though with five of their seven wins so far being by just a single goal. The Development team are then back in home after a run of three away games as they host Devizes Town Reserves (3pm kick off). Bassett will be aiming for a result that allows them to pull away from their visitors who are just a couple of places below them in the Wiltshire League Premier Division table. Admission is £4 for adults, £2 for concessions and free for RWBTFC youth members.

Ruthless Robins march past Bassett

RWBTFC — Sunday 04 October 2026

Royal Wootton Bassett Town exited the Women's FA Cup at third qualifying round stage for a fifth season in a row after a ruthless attacking display from tier four Bridgwater United.

The Robins, who have lost just one game all season after making a flying start to their FA Women's National League Division One South West campaign, ran out 10-0 winners as they demonstrated their quality.

In fairness, Bassett's hopes of advancing to the first round proper were dealt a significant blow when the draw - probably the toughest they could receive - was made.

Still, they travelled to Somerset in hope. But the Robins put paid to that early on.

Meg Jarvis finished twice from Ellie Strippel through balls in the opening six minutes before Rosie Hill set up Abbey Hateley for Bridgwater's third with just nine minutes on the clock.

A Strippel volley followed before Hateley grabbed her second. It was then 6-0 midway through the opening period courtesy of a Strippel free kick into the top left corner.

Bassett, to their credit, held out for the remainder of the half and for most of the second period.

However, Bridgwater extended their advantage with twenty minutes to go when Jarvis scored from the spot for her hat trick.

Jarvis then got the final touch to guide in a low Erin Williams cross.

Williams teed up Manfy Sharpe for number nine with just under quarter of an hour remaining before Jarvis slotted in her fifth and her side's tenth.

It was a heavy defeat for Bassett - though the result did more to expose the difference in level between the top of tier four of the women's game and tier five. Bassett certainly aren't the first side - nor will they be the last - to be humbled by a Bridgwater team that are on the up.

Youth Section Review: Impressive Under 18 Yellows advance in Youth Cup

RWBTFC — Sunday 04 October 2026

It was another productive Sunday for Royal Wootton Bassett Town's youth section sides, with six wins from eight games and plenty of goals to celebrate. The Under 18 Yellows produced the standout result of the afternoon, racing to a superb 9-2 victory over Wanborough Junior Black in the second round of the Wiltshire Youth Cup. The Yellows were in devastating attacking form, scoring nine times to book their place in the last sixteen in emphatic fashion. There was another big home win for the Under 13 Yellows, who continued their strong start to the campaign with a 6-1 victory over Liden Community Wolverines in North Wilts League Division Four. The result gives Bassett two wins from their opening three league games. The Under 16 Blues also made convincing progress in the North Wilts League Cup, beating Ferndale Rodbourne 5-1 in the second round. Five goals - including four for Rudy Iles-Jones - and an impressive all-round display saw the Blues comfortably through to the next stage. The goals continued for the Under 13 Blues, who recorded an excellent 5-1 away victory at Croft Junior Blue in North Wilts League Division Two. It was a strong performance on the road and another encouraging result for a side looking to establish themselves near the top of the division. The Under 12 Blues kept a clean sheet as they comfortably defeated AFC Corsham Jaguars 4-0 in North Wilts League Division One. Four different goals weren't necessary for the points, but the combination of a strong attacking display and defensive shutout made for another impressive afternoon as they recorded their first league win of the season. The Under 15 Yellows were involved in a more closely fought contest, eventually coming out on top 4-2 against Draycott Evolution Mavericks in North Wilts League Division Three. The victory gives the Yellows three wins from their opening five league matches and keeps them firmly among the early pace-setters. It was a tougher afternoon for the Under 18 Blues, who exited the Wiltshire Youth Cup after a 4-1 defeat away to Swindon Supermarine White. They will now look to return to league action and put the cup disappointment behind them. The Under 16 Yellows also suffered cup disappointment, going down 2-1 away at Purton Youth Wolves in the second round of the North Wilts League Cup. It was a narrow defeat in a closely contested game, with Bassett unable to find the equaliser.

Pegasus pair downs Bassett

RWBTFC — Saturday 03 October 2026

In an otherwise tight affair, a pair of bookend goals condemned Royal Wootton Bassett Town to a 2-0 defeat away at Hereford Pegasus in the Hellenic League Premier Division.

Having won away at Westfields a fortnight ago, Bassett's latest trip to Hereford saw them come away empty handed on a somewhat frustrating afternoon.

The hosts took the lead in the first minute when Carlos Moreira capitalised on a rare fumble from Josh Sawyer, with the Bassett 'keeper not being helped by the autumn sun.

That would be all that separated the teams for the overwhelming majority of the game.

Bassett were largely on top in the second half but struggled to create meaningful chances.

The visitors' frustrations then started to boil over, leading to a string of yellow cards late on.

That loss of discipline included captain Alfie Presley being sent to the sin bin.

And Pegasus made their temporary extra man count when substitute Jaxson Hundt netted their second on 88 minutes.

The result, combined with wins for both Droitwich Spa and Mangotsfield United, sees Bassett drop back into 17th place in the table.

Girls’ Section Review: Under 14s edge top of table clash

RWBTFC — Saturday 03 October 2026

There was a huge 3-2 win for Royal Wootton Bassett Town Under 14s in a competitive top-of-the-table clash away against Trowbridge Wanderers Ravens. Bassett started slowly and were not quite firing on all cylinders, with some sloppy passing and a few missed challenges making things difficult for themselves. After 15 minutes, Christina showed great footwork in the box and was brought down to win a penalty. She stepped up confidently and calmly converted to put Bassett ahead. Trowbridge continued to put Bassett under pressure and eventually found the equaliser to make it 1–1 going into half time. After a strong team talk from Andy and the coaching team, Bassett came out with much more fight and determination in the second half. Aamira had a fantastic game in goal before being replaced by Ella after 10 minutes. A massive well done to Aamira for stepping up today and showing what a brilliant team player she is. Around 15 minutes into the second half, a little miscommunication at the back allowed Trowbridge to take the lead and make it 2–1. However, Bassett responded immediately. Christina produced another fantastic run straight through the middle and calmly finished to bring the score level at 2–2. From there, Bassett really found their rhythm. They started playing some excellent football, getting to the ball first and putting in some important challenges. The pressure eventually paid off when Georgia B won the ball with a great challenge in midfield before sending a looping ball over the top to Maddie, who kept her composure and calmly slotted it away to make it 3-2. The final whistle brought a fantastic comeback victory and three very important points for Bassett. Player of the Match: Chloe Chloe was outstanding today and thoroughly deserved the Player of the Match award. Starting in midfield before dropping into defence, she put in some huge challenges and showed incredible energy throughout the game. She was absolutely solid at the back and made it extremely difficult for anyone to get past her. A fantastic all-round performance from Chloe. It was a brilliant comeback from Bassett in a really competitive game, and a massive three points to take home. Next up is a Wiltshire County Cup game against Derry Hill United Flames. There was also a fantastic performance from the Under 12s, who secured an impressive 6–0 victory against Cricklade Youth Lionesses. The goals came from Emilie (2), Mya, Lucy, Izzy and an own goal. Lucy was deservedly named Player of the Match after an unplayable performance. She was a constant threat going forward, showing excellent movement, confidence and finishing throughout. All of our forwards were very strong today and showed great composure in front of goal. Just as impressive was the defensive performance, with the team keeping a clean sheet and giving Cricklade very little to work with. Florence was awarded Cricklade's Player of the Match, which says a lot about how well our defence kept their attacking players locked down. A brilliant all-round team performance and a well-deserved result. Elsewhere, the Under 17s faced a tough afternoon at home against Penhill United, eventually going down 4-1 despite a determined performance . Penhill took the lead after Hannah made an excellent save, but the forward managed to squeeze the ball in moments later. Penhill then capitalised again after some good football to extend their advantage. Bassett found themselves 3–0 down after switching off, but they responded with a well-taken goal from Amber. She beat the offside trap, raced through on goal and calmly slotted the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper to give Bassett some hope. Bassett came out strongly after the break and pushed for a second goal, but it was not to be. Penhill continued to apply pressure, with Hannah producing some terrific saves to keep Bassett in the game. Penhill eventually managed to snatch a fourth goal to complete the scoring. Despite the result, there were plenty of positives to take from the performance. The girls worked extremely hard all over the pitch and showed improvement in their attitude, performance and overall gameplay. Hannah was outstanding in goal, making several excellent saves throughout the match. Eliza and Amber worked tirelessly up and down the wings, while Maya put in a solid defensive performance. Bassett continue to improve week by week, and the team will take the positives from today's performance as they continue to work hard and develop together. Well done to all the girls for their effort and commitment. The Under 15s, meanwhile, were awarded the win today after Durrington Seahawks were unable to field a side.

September Goal of the Month

RWBTFC — Wednesday 30 September 2026

With September now complete, vote for your Mercedes-Benz of Swindon Goal of the Month from the pick of the goals scored in competitive fixtures by Royal Wootton Bassett Town's senior teams! Watch the goals that can be seen in the video on this page and vote below.

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Presley pair picks up a hard earned point

RWBTFC — Tuesday 29 September 2026

After being out of sorts in August, Royal Wootton Bassett Town seem to finally be hitting their stride in September. And Jonny Aitkenhead's side finished the month with another positive result as they drew 2-2 away at Tuffley Rovers.

Making it ten points from their last available 15, captain Alfie Presley played a key role for Bassett as he notched another brace to follow that which he scored in Saturday's home triumph against Corsham Town.

And while Bassett will have been slightly frustrated to have conceded a late equaliser, the manner in which Tuffley pulled level - courtesy of a stunning strike - won't leave the visitors too disappointed with the final score.

The first half was played at a frenetic pace in which no player had much time on the ball. As a result the game was a rather scrappy midfield battle early on.

Tuffley did manage to draw a couple of relatively routine saves out of Bassett 'keeper Josh Sawyer with Antonio Pirelli and Corey Warrington stinging his palms.

Then late in the half Harrison Edwards forced a fine parry from Tuffley shotstopper Tom Kaye after the Bassett man found himself with space on the right.

Nevertheless the teams appeared destined to head into the interval with the score still deadlocked.

That was until Tuffley recycled a corner after Bassett failed to clear and Harley Mustoe, beating the offside trap to latch onto a deft header in behind, slotted past Sawyer with a well taken first time finish.

But Bassett's response was immediate as the Tuffley defence erred, allowing Presley to capitalise and he produced a cool finish beyond Kaye.

Those goals set the tone for a lively start to the second half which saw Mustoe steer just over from a Connor Walters knock down and Presley force a low save from Kaye.

The game's third goal soon arrived - and it came from the penalty spot after Callum McGuirk handled when trying to atone for an error, with the Tuffley man fortunate to see yellow rather than red for his transgression. Presley took the honours for Bassett as he got the better of Kaye from twelve yards.

Tuffley almost grabbed an immediate equaliser as Sawyer was forced to acrobatically palm a long range free kick over the bar. But the hosts largely struggled to break Bassett down as the second half wore on.

Then came an eventful final ten minutes.

Theo Browne arrowed an effort narrowly wide for Tuffley to begin before Presley almost grabbed his hat trick, firing just over from distance after good link up play with Ed Taylor.

Both would have been fine goals had they gone in.

But the goal which Tuffley substitute Jacob Eakers produced to pull the hosts level was something spectacular. Allowed space to stride forward after receiving a square ball from Leighton Blacker, Eakers thrashed an unstoppable effort into the top right corner from 25 yards out, with his shot leaving Sawyer grasping at thin air.

Both sides then pushed for a winner and there was more late drama at both ends - including a pair of goalline clearances from the hosts as a Bassett corner caused all sorts of problems.

In the end, a draw was arguably a fair result - and an outcome that, given the course of their season so far, Bassett can be satisfied with.

Weekend preview: Bassett hit the road seeking major cup upset

RWBTFC — Tuesday 29 September 2026

All three of Royal Wootton Bassett Town's senior sides are in away action this weekend - and the headline game takes place on Sunday when the Women's First Team travel to Bridgwater United in the Women's FA Cup third qualifying round (2pm kick off). Pitting them against tier four opponents who have made an extremely strong start to their campaign, Bassett are big underdogs. But James Lally's side go into the game with nothing to lose - as well as the chance to make history as an upset will see Bassett reach the first round proper for the first ever time. Bridgwater have been present in the first round proper in each of the last five seasons and have advanced beyond that stage three times. That includes a run to the fourth round in 2021-22 when Bridgwater hosted and narrowly lost 2-0 against Women's Super League Manchester United, as well as consecutive trips to the second round in the past two seasons. It promises to be a difficult but nonetheless worthwhile test for Bassett. Prior to that Saturday sees the Men's First Team return to Hereford for a second time in a fortnight as Bassett visit Hereford Pegasus in the Hellenic League Premier Division (3pm kick off). Both games between the teams finished 2-2 last season - including an entertaining draw in Herefordshire. Those results extended Bassett's unbeaten streak against Pegasus to eleven games. Also on Saturday the Development team make the short trip across the county border to face newly promoted Fairford Town Reserves in the Wiltshire League Premier Division (3pm kick off).

Bassett suffer Sherborne setback

RWBTFC — Sunday 27 September 2026

Royal Wootton Bassett Town fell to their second defeat of the South West Regional Women's Football League Premier Division season as visitors Sherborne Town recorded a 3-1 victory at the Swindon Mercedes Stadium.

Third place finishers in each of the last three seasons, Sherborne went into the campaign as one of the favourites for the title. They had endured a somewhat frustrating start though with two draws and a defeat from their opening three games. However, their visit to Wiltshire got them off the mark.

Sherborne led midway through the first half. They had the better of the game's early chances as Charlotte Harmer twice found herself in behind the home defence but was unable to find the target on both occasions.

But Sherborne soon took advantage of Bassett's early season set piece struggles continued. A corner was floated into the far post where a glancing close range header from Kira Hockley sneaked past Millie Powell.

The visitors took their lead into the break. However, Bassett struck back shortly after the restart. After stealing possession just inside her half, Elle Scott surged forward past two defenders before threading a through ball into the path of Megan Young, who continued her fine early season form in front of goal with a cool finish beneath Esme Lamb.

That led to the game, now being played in driving rain, to open up as both sides sought to get on the front foot.

Sherborne remained the most threatening though and good low save from Powell kept out Keira Lane-Leney's shot on the turn.

Minutes later the Bassett 'keeper was beaten by a fluke of a goal. The hosts thought they had cleared, with the ball falling to Sherborne centre half Sienna Trusson. Seeing the space in front of her, Trusson strode forward before firing a shot from a good thirty yards out. Her effort caught a wicked deflection from Darcy Cox on the edge of the box, which wrongfooted Powell who - forced to redirect - was unable to cleanly come up with the ball as it found its way into the net.

Bassett almost produced an immediate response as Kelly Nightingale saw a shot blocked on the line after a corner fell to her. And Poppy Wannell forced an awkward save from Lamb after being slipped in by Scott.

But Sherborne were to deliver a suckerpunch. Sarah Lewendon seized upon a heavy touch from Alice Bowden before setting Lissy Shapland free in the left channel and she swept past Powell from the edge of the area to seal victory for Sherborne.

Midweek preview: Tuff Tuesday test

RWBTFC — Sunday 27 September 2026

Royal Wootton Bassett Town begin a tricky run of three consecutive away Hellenic League Premier Division games with a trip to Gloucester to take on Tuffley Rovers on Tuesday night (7.45pm kick off). Bassett will be looking to close the gap on their opponents who, after a fast start, are in the midst of a three game losing streak in the league. Although having lost two of their last four meetings, Bassett's recent record against Tuffley is an outstanding one with ten wins, one draw and just those pair of defeats in their last thirteen meetings. Those results mean Bassett hold a winning record against Tuffley - who, among current opponents, Bassett have played the second most games against. 33 league meetings have seen 14 Bassett victories, ten wins for Tuffley and nine draws.

Girls’ Section Review: Under 17s off the mark in style

RWBTFC — Sunday 27 September 2026

Royal Wootton Bassett Town Under 17s travelled to Durrington Falcons in search of their first win of the season and delivered an excellent performance, coming away with a convincing 6-0 victory. The focus before the game was on intensity, high pressing and putting constant pressure on the opposition, and the girls certainly delivered. Despite challenging conditions, with warm weather, a sloping pitch and a very hard surface making the bounce of the ball difficult to judge, Bassett started the game with real purpose. The U17s pressed high and aggressively from the start, forcing Durrington into mistakes and creating chance after chance. The pressure resulted in six first-half goals, with Esme scoring three, Daisy B adding two and Amber completing the scoring. Bassett could easily have gone into the break with an even bigger lead after creating a number of further opportunities. The team also handled a number of substitutions extremely well, with double changes being made approximately every 12 minutes. Despite the disruption that can sometimes cause, the girls maintained their intensity and continued to play with confidence. At half time, the players identified the unpredictable bounce as one of the biggest challenges they had faced. The focus for the second half was therefore on managing the conditions better while maintaining the same intensity. The back line was pushed higher up the pitch to help the team deal with the bounce and keep Durrington under pressure. It was a calculated risk, but the girls trusted the plan and executed it well. The second half saw Bassett continue to dominate, creating plenty of chances and keeping Durrington on the back foot. Despite their continued pressure, the girls were unable to add to their six-goal advantage. Most importantly, the attitude, work rate and commitment from everyone was excellent throughout. The girls showed great determination to maintain the intensity despite the conditions and a comfortable scoreline. A thoroughly deserved first win for the Under 17s, and one that should give the team plenty of confidence going forward. The Under 14s were also big winners as another big performance Bassett produced an excellent 5-0 victory over Durrington Kestrels at home. From the opening whistle, Bassett looked strong and were the team most likely to break the deadlock. The pressure paid off after just 10 minutes when Felicity's persistence created the opportunity. She played a lovely pass into Christina, who kept her composure and finished brilliantly to make it 1-0. Just five minutes later, Bassett doubled their lead. Ruby won the ball with a strong challenge before playing it to Christina. Hearing G's call on the wing, Christina picked out a great forward pass and G calmly finished to score her first goal for Bassett. The pressure continued, and with just two minutes remaining in the first half, Christina produced a brilliant burst forward before getting a shot away. The Durrington goalkeeper made an excellent save, but Maddie was quickest to react, calmly following up to make it 3-0 going into the break. The second half followed much the same pattern, with Bassett continuing to control the game and apply pressure. After 20 minutes, the fourth goal arrived. Felicity played an excellent forward pass into Christina, who took the ball around the goalkeeper before calmly slotting it into the net to make it 4-0. Kacy came close to adding another, but Bassett did not have to wait long for the fifth. With just five minutes remaining, a goalmouth scramble saw Lauren get a shot away. The goalkeeper did everything she could to keep it out, but the ball eventually found the bottom corner to complete the scoring. Well done Georgia B for achieving Player of the Match. Next up is a big game against Trowbridge Wanderers Ravens away from home. A tough away day awaited the Under 15a as they travelled to Pomphrey Hill Playing Field to take on last season's league winners, Tyrone Mings Hurricanes. Bassett faced a challenging start to the game, with injuries and player unavailability leaving the team short defensively. Unfortunately, a couple of errors were punished by the hosts, who were quick to capitalise and establish an early 3-0 lead. Tyrone Mings' right winger caused problems throughout the game and proved to be a constant threat. Bassett struggled to find their rhythm in the first half and were also guilty of being wasteful in front of goal, with chances created but not converted. The second half was a much-improved performance. A change in formation gave Bassett more attacking threat and allowed the girls to play with greater confidence going forward. They won the second half and, on another day, could have scored several more goals. Two excellent strikes from Ava gave Bassett a route back into the game and changed the momentum. However, another misplaced pass into midfield allowed Mings to capitalise once again and extend their lead. There were also positive moments away from the scoreline, with Lily C and Ruby both making their Bassett debuts. Ruby capped off an encouraging first appearance by earning Player of the Match alongside Ava, whose two goals were a real highlight of the second half. It was a tough day for Bassett against last season's league champions, but there were plenty of positives to take from the defeat. The improved second-half performance, attacking threat and determination to fight back showed the potential within this group. The girls will take those positives forward and continue to work on the areas that need improvement. The Under 12s progressed in the League Cup after opponents Shrivenham were unable to field a side for the fixture. The tie was therefore awarded to Bassett.

Youth Section Review: Double-digit wins lead the way

RWBTFC — Sunday 27 September 2026

There were some outstanding attacking displays from Royal Wootton Bassett Town's youth sides on Sunday, with the Under 12 Blue, Under 16 Blue and Under 18 Yellow teams recording double-digit victories. The biggest result of the day came from the Under 12 Blues, who produced a remarkable 16-1 victory over Wroughton & Wichelstowe Dragons in the North Wilts Youth Football League Knockout Cup Round 1. It was a spectacular attacking performance from Bassett, who scored 16 times while conceding just once to book their place in the next round. There was another emphatic win for the Under 16 Blues, who swept aside Swindon Supermarine 11-0 in North Wilts League Under 16 Division Two. Bassett's dominant display saw them find the net 11 times without conceding, maintaining their unbeaten start to the league campaign. Rudy Iles-Jones led the way with five goals while Alfie Stewart netted a hat trick. Edward Bennett (2) and Lachlan Lye-Owens completed the scoring. The result leaves them with two wins and a draw from their opening three league fixtures. The Under 18 Yellows enjoyed an equally impressive afternoon, beating South Cerney 11-2 in the opening round of the North Wilts Youth Football League Knockout Cup. It was a convincing cup performance from the Yellow side, who followed up their two league victories at the start of the season with another big attacking display. The Under 14 Blues were involved in one of the day's most entertaining contests as they drew 3-3 with Kingsdown Lions Red in North Wilts League Under 14 Division Two. Veer Chavda, Cameron Greaney and Ryan Pocock were on target. Bassett took a point from the contest to remain unbeaten after their opening two league matches, having recorded a victory in their first outing. There was also a draw for the Under 14 Yellows, who came away from their trip to Purton Youth Cobras with a 2-2 draw in Division Three. The result gave Bassett their first point of the league campaign. The Under 16 Yellows also secured a draw, finishing 1-1 away at Ashton Keynes Black in North Wilts League Under 16 Division Three. It was a competitive contest that saw the sides share the spoils, with Bassett picking up their first point of the campaign. The Under 18 Blues suffered a 3-1 defeat away to AFC Park in North Wilts League Under 18 Division One. Bassett were unable to add to their points tally on the road, with the result leaving them with one win from their opening three league matches. The Under 15 Yellows were beaten 4-1 by Wroughton & Wichelstowe Tornadoes in North Wilts League Under 15 Division Three. Despite the defeat, Bassett remain on six points from their opening four league games. The Under 13 Yellows also went down 2-0 away to Wanborough Junior in North Wilts League Under 13 Division Four. Bassett therefore remain on three points from their opening two league fixtures. Meanwhile, the Under 12 Yellows were beaten 7-0 away at Stratton Juniors Tigers in the North Wilts Youth Football League Knockout Cup Round 1. Overall, it was a Sunday of contrasting fortunes for Bassett's youth section, but the headline figures belong to the Under 12 Blue, Under 16 Blue and Under 18 Yellow, who combined for an extraordinary 38 goals across their three victories.

Women’s FA Cup: Fifth time’s a charm?

RWBTFC — Sunday 27 September 2026

Sunday sees Royal Wootton Bassett Town make their fifth consecutive appearance in the Women's FA Cup third qualifying round. And James Lally's side will be seeking to write club history by advancing beyond that stage for the first time ever and reaching the first round proper. To do so will require a major upset against FA Women's National League side Bridgwater United. But, surely at some point, it has to be Bassett's year? Below we chronicle Bassett's recent experience at this stage of the competition. 2022-23 Bassett reached the third qualifying round courtesy of a routine 6-0 win away at Middlezoy Rovers (whose ground will host Sunday's tie with Bridgwater). That set up a visit to Torquay United, who put paid to Bassett's hopes of a first round appearance with a convincing 5-2 victory. The Gulls led 2-1 at the break after a Holly Baker goal was sandwiched between two for the hosts. Torquay then scored three goals in a devastating 15 minute second half spell to seal the tie before Chantelle Church netted a late consolation. 2023-24 Two bigs away wins - 14-0 against Longwell Green and 7-2 at Stockwood Wanderers - set Bassett up with a home tie against fellow tier six side AFC Stoneham. A nail biting, closely fought tie ensued at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground with neither side able to break the deadlock - until fifteen minutes from time Stoneham were awarded a questionable free kick from which they scored. That proved to be the only goal of the game as the Purps advanced. 2024-25 Bassett produced two strong performances to reach the third qualifying round for a third year in a row. They began their journey with a 5-1 triumph away at Ross Juniors before grabbing a stoppage time equaliser and winnings on penalties to defeat higher level Ilminster Town at home. When the third qualifying round draw was made, Bassett had a sense of déjà vu: Torquay away, again. Unlike their meeting two seasons before, this time the teams were not division rivals with Bassett the underdogs. Adam Wood's side gave a strong account of themselves though as they took the game to their hosts. However, it wasn't to be. Torquay snatched the lead just before the break. They then added a fortuitous second on the hour before scoring on the break to make it three. Kat Bach pulled one back for Bassett but it was too little, too late. 2025-26 Bassett showed their defensive prowess as they kept clean sheets in away wins against Frimley Green (2-0) and Bristol Brunel (1-0) to make it four third qualifying round appearances on the trot. This time Bassett's reward was a home tie against tier five Forest Green Rovers (a level above James Lally's team). Again, it wasn't meant to be. An own goal gave Rovers an early lead before they doubled their advantage heading into the break. After Elle Scott came close to cutting the deficit, Forest Green delivered a sucker punch to make it 3-0, meaning Lauren Bulley's late goal was a mere consolation. 2026-27 Another season, another third qualifying round appearance - earned this time by a hard fought 2-1 home victory against Gloucester City in which Bassett demonstrated their desire to win. Another tough draw - perhaps the most difficult draw Bassett could have got - now stands in the way of progress to the first round proper. Make no mistake, Bassett are underdogs. But this is the FA Cup. Can it be Bassett's turn to spring a shock and make history? Here's hoping. - Historical details of Royal Wootton Bassett Town's participation in all national cup competitions in which it has competed are available in the history section of our website. For each competition, details of all results are listed, as well as - where information is available - line-ups and match reports. See the following pages for details: Women's FA Cup
FA Cup
FA Vase
FA Youth Cup
FA Amateur Cup