Royal Wootton Bassett Town Ladies were once again involved a high-scoring thriller as they made the long trip to Cornwall to take on AFC St Austell. But, despite taking a 4-1 lead, Bassett returned to Wiltshire empty-handed as a stunning comeback saw the hosts claim a 5-4 victory.

The result extends a difficult league run for Bassett which has seen them win once in their last six fixtures - a stretch of form that has all but dashed hopes of a top three finish in the South West Regional Women's Football League Premier Division.

Those hopes had initially been reignited after an excellent first half display saw Bassett go into half time against St Austell - unbeaten going into the fixture - with a seemingly commanding 3-1 lead.

It took Libby Davies less than ten minutes to put her side in front as she latched onto Maddy Elliott's through ball and coolly finished.

While Charlotte Whitmore equalised on the half hour mark, Holly Baker restored Bassett's lead as she headed in from Emma Sykes' inswinging corner. Sykes then added a second assist within a matter of minutes as Bassett extended their advantage. The hosts had just hit the bar and Bassett broke with the midfielder's pass splitting the home defence, and Davies was on hand to score.

And Bassett then moved into a three goal lead early in the second half as youngster Poppy Wannell raced onto a Davies through ball before producing a fine lob to make it 4-1.

Bassett's lead was a seemingly unassailable one. But four goals in the final thirty minutes stunned Bassett.

Whitmore twice found the net to complete her hat trick and reduced St Austell's deficit to just a goal. Francesca Thornton then headed home from a corner to equalise. Finally, with 92 minutes on the clock Chevonne Johanning found the bottom corner to complete the turnaround and deal Bassett a crushing blow.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 23rd January 2022 at 22:52