Royal Wootton Bassett TownRWBTFC
Forest Green Rovers
Royal Wootton Bassett Town Logo
3 ‒ 5
Forest Green Rovers Logo

RWBTFC Scorers:
Libby Davies (2), Amber Egerton

Rovers' late surge sees off Bassett

Gerard Buxton Sports Ground, 28 November 2021

Royal Wootton Bassett Town Ladies fell to their second league defeat of the season as they were beaten 5-3 by Forest Green Rovers in an enthralling, high-scoring affair. After the game was all square at 1-1 at the break, the second half produced six goals - with the visitors eventually sealing the points courtesy of two goals in the final five minutes.

The result means Bassett missed out on moving up from fourth position, with a visit to title favourites Ilminster Town up next.

And Graham Fletcher's side will certainly be rueing the opportunity not to have claimed at least a point against Forest Green in a see-saw contest.

It took less than five minutes for the deadlock to be broken as Ella Hitchcox broke into the box and produced a fine first time finish to put away Nynka Rucker's low cross into the box.

However, Bassett were on level terms shortly after. Laura Jefferies swung in a trademark towering free kick from the left side and leading scorer Libby Davies flicked home a header into the bottom right corner.

The opening period delivered no further goals. But after the restart it did not take long for the floodgates to open.

Bassett were the side to strike first. After controlling a Jefferies free kick on the edge of the area, Davies twisted and turned as she sought to fashion space to shoot. As she did so, Rovers' captain Hattie Jones aimed to win the ball back but her tackle served only to find a gap in her side's defence, allowing Amber Egerton to run in to pounce on the loose ball and fire home.

The visitors were then gifted an equaliser. Bassett failed to clear their lines and the ball fell to Jones, whose 25 yard shot slipped through the hands of 'keeper Millie Powell.

Two minutes later the visitors were ahead as Rucker raced onto a hopeful punt upfield, outmuscled Olivia Owenson and coolly slotted into the corner.

Trailing for a second time, Bassett were able to make it 3-3 with 25 minutes to go as Davies met a Jefferies free kick with another fine glancing header that nestled into the corner.

That meant a grandstand finish was on the cards. Unfortunately for Bassett though, it was the visitors who would strike two decisive blows.

Jones restored her side's lead with her second of the afternoon, scoring with a snap shot after Charlie Rowlands' low corner broke to her.

Hitchcox then sealed the win. Rowlands' slide rule pass split the Bassett defence and her strike partner latched onto the through ball before rounding an onrushing Powell and calmly slotting into the net from a tight angle.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Monday 29th November 2021 at 10:00

Royal Wootton Bassett TownRWBTFC
Forest Green Rovers
Royal Wootton Bassett Town Logo
3 ‒ 5
Forest Green Rovers Logo

RWBTFC Scorers:
Libby Davies (2), Amber Egerton