A fortnight after suffering a 6-2 reverse at the hands of Ilminster Town, Royal Wootton Bassett Town Ladies fared much better in the return fixture against one of the favourites for this season's South West Regional Women's Football League Premier Division title. However, the Somerset side's greater quality proved the difference as they recorded a 2-0 victory.

Bassett may have been forgiven for thinking that another heavy defeat was on the cards when they fell behind to Harrie Kellie's scruffy eighth minute opener.

But the visitors then settled well into the game and matched their opponents.

They could have been level just after the half hour mark too, but home 'keeper Charlotte Johnson did well to deny Grace Eagles who was through one-on-one.

Trailing by just a goal at the break, Bassett certainly felt as though they could take something from the game.

That remained the way despite a spell of Ilminster pressure early in the second period, with Abi Footner pulling off an impressive one-handed save to push Collette Martin's shot onto the crossbar.

Eagles then saw a low drive thwarted by Johnson at the other end, before Shannon King's left wing was volleyed just wide by Amber Egerton. Bassett spurned another opportunity as Lois Beer was unable to divert Lisa Coe's dangerous cross towards goal.

The hosts continued to threaten too though, with Jodi Cornwall finding the post after finding herself on the end of a Sian Chapman corner.

Bassett's best opening then came with eight minutes remaining. Coe was played through one-on-one but couldn't find a way past Johnson. The rebound fell to King whose shot was blocked before a third bite of the cherry fell to Holly Baker who shot just wide.

Surviving that scare, Ilminster delivered a sucker-punch to kill off the game as Lannece Hole lobbed Footner after receiving a pass from Cornwall.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 27th September 2020 at 22:13