Swindon Spitfires
Royal Wootton Bassett TownRWBTFC
Swindon Spitfires Logo
4 ‒ 5
Royal Wootton Bassett Town Logo

RWBTFC Scorers:
Hayley Huckin (3), Madeline Elliott (2)

Dramatic comeback sends Bassett into third County Cup final in a row

Royal Wootton Bassett Town Ladies reached the Wiltshire County Women's Cup final for the third season in a row as they edged out Swindon Spitfires 5-4 in a thrilling semi-final encounter.

Bassett earned victory the hard way too, recovering from a 3-1 deficit following a horror show opening to the match.

The contest was a rematch of last season's final – a game that featured nine goals, all of them for Bassett

That tally was matched on this occasion. Yet it was an altogether different game than that which concluded with Bassett lifting the County Cup for the first time.

Jonny House and James Goddard's side were behind early after miscommunication between Lara Wilson and 'keeper Abi Footner resulted in an own goal by the former mere seconds after Footner had done well to deny Jasmine Hindon.

That lead was then doubled when Claire Moerton's corner was headed home by Sophie Mitchell.

Bassett pulled one back when Madeline Elliott beat her marker before rounding Spitfires 'keeper Sian Barber and slotting home.

However, Spitfires restored their two-goal advantage when a Moreton free kick beat the wall and found the bottom left corner.

In horrendous conditions, Bassett eventually worked their way into the game though. And they soon made it 3-2. A fine pass from Grace Eagles picked out Hayley Huckin and, after using her pace to get beyond her marker, she unselfishly squared to Elliott to steer home.

Elliott then was denied a first half hat-trick when Barber pulled off a fine save after the striker was through one-on-one.

Chances continued to come in an end-to-end thriller as Laura Jefferies was forced to clear off the line, but neither side was able to add to their tally before the interval.

There were bound to be further goals in the game, however, and it was Bassett who were next to find the net. Player of the match Eagles was again involved, receiving Lisa Coe's pass before getting past a defender and squaring for Huckin to grab her first of the afternoon.

They then earned their first lead of the afternoon. Amber Egerton was quickest to react after Barber was unable to corral Coe's free kick and the Bassett stalwart teed up Huckin for her second.

But, after Elliott and Huckin squandered chances to add some cushion, Spitfires conjured their fourth of the afternoon, Sarah Uzzell sweeping in after a Moreton strike had crashed against the bar.

That set up a grandstand finish, which – mirroring events in last year's semi-final encounter with Laverstock and Ford – would be decided by a late Huckin goal. Ever the poacher, she scrambled the ball following an Elliott run and pass.

Bassett will face higher level Swindon Town in the final - their conquerors in the 2017-18 showpiece. Revenge will therefore be on the cards - as well as the chance for Bassett to retain their county crown.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 26th January 2020 at 17:50

Swindon Spitfires
Royal Wootton Bassett TownRWBTFC
Swindon Spitfires Logo
4 ‒ 5
Royal Wootton Bassett Town Logo

RWBTFC Scorers:
Hayley Huckin (3), Madeline Elliott (2)