Gerard Buxton Sports Ground, 9 January 2022
High-scoring, closely fought thrillers have been the order of the day throughout the 2021-22 season for Royal Wootton Bassett Town Ladies. And their return to action following the Christmas break was no different as Bassett shared six goals with current South West Regional Women's Football League Premier Division leaders Sherborne Town in another goalfest.
The first ever competitive meeting between the teams was a hugely entertaining see-saw battle. Bassett twice went ahead only to be pegged back by Sherborne. The visitors then earned their first lead of the afternoon, but were unable to hold on for the win as Bassett snatched a late equaliser.
Both teams will feel as though they could have taken victory. However, Bassett will perhaps be the ones kicking themselves the most as they passed up an opportunity to pull within three points of their opponents with a game in hand still to play. Instead, they remain six points behind Sherborne, dropping a place to fourth after Torquay United's big victory against Middlezoy Rovers.
Bassett found themselves in front shortly before the 20 minute mark as Libby Davies grabbed the first of what would ultimately be another hat trick - her fifth of the season. She owed a great debt to the work of teammates Holly Baker and Hayley Huckin, whose great build up play set the forward up.
Sherborne got back on terms ten minutes before the break though as the visitors seized possession in midfield and a quick break ended in Ali Scott-Sheppard producing a fine finish as she spotted Bassett 'keeper Millie Powell off her line.
The game's next goal arrived on the hour as Huckin and Lani Dickinson linked up well, with the latter threading a precise pass to Davies, who rounded Emily Hall before slotting home.
However, Bassett's second lead of the day did not last long as Sherborne's Gemma Mountain punished the hosts for their sloppy play.
Mountain netted again late on to put Sherborne in pole position. But Bassett were quick to react and Davies made sure her side went home with a share of the spoils, scoring her third after latching onto captain Laura Jefferies' through ball.
Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 9th January 2022 at 21:24
