Royal Wootton Bassett Town Ladies' fine start to the season continued as they stuck eight goals without reply past Torquay United to march into the Women's FA Cup second qualifying round.

Madeline Elliott, Hannah Gulliver and Hayley Huckin all notched twice, while the team's stingy defence recorded a fourth consecutive clean sheet.

Bassett set out their attacking stall from the off and could have been a goal ahead after just five minutes but Lauren Kayll applied too much power to her shot when picked out unmarked by a Huckin cross.

Minutes later Huckin was denied by the Torquay 'keeper Leanne Robbins after a lucky bounce had fallen Gulliver's way on the wing.

The inevitable opener arrived on 17 minutes as Huckin timed her run perfectly to beat the offside trap and lifted a lob from 25 yards over the advancing Robbins.

Bassett's lead was quickly doubled when Elliott beat her marker and lifted a cool effort over the 'keeper and in off the post.

Huckin then twice shot straight at Robbins as the visitors struggled mightily to cope with the pressure they were under.

Another quick-fire two-goal salvo ultimately saw Bassett 4-0 up after 35 minutes.

An unmarked Huckin beat her defender and shot a powerful drive through the 'keeper's hands before Lisa Coe swept home from a corner after Huckin had seen an effort blocked and turned around the post.

Bassett could have been forgiven for taking their foot off the gas given the position they were in at the break.

But they did not relent.

Elliott struck just over the bar before Kayll fired straight at the busy Robbins.

A fine passing move that began in defence was then rounded off by Elliott, slotting in from Huckin's square pass in the 55th minute.

After Huckin hit the bar, the follow up from Elliott forcing a great save, Grace Eagles was on hand to make it six. Kayll looked to have sent a one-on-one effort narrowly wide, but Eagles had gambled and was able to divert the ball home at the last moment.

Torquay did manage to hit the post with quarter of an hour to go, and it was somewhat fortunate that Charlotte Dymond's angled effort didn't go in with the rebound falling into the grateful arms of Bassett 'keeper Abi Footner.

But the majority of the action continued at the other end.

And Gulliver netted twice late on. Her first came as she raced onto a ball over the top and hit a shot that proved too powerful for Robbins to keep out. Gulliver then latched onto a Kayll pass, rounded the 'keeper and slotted home.

Bassett will now take part in the competition's second qualifying round for only the second ever time - and on their current form it would be unwise to bet against them advancing even further.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 22nd September 2019 at 18:06