Royal Wootton Bassett Town Under 12 Girls made the long trip to play high flying Staverton Rangers on what looked like being another tough away day for the girls.

Staverton were looking to build on their good early season form that sees them sitting third in the league. Bassett meanwhile wee keen to put in a better performance than in there last outing against Kingsdown, which saw them concede eight goals two weeks ago.

Bassett went into the game without recognized goalkeepers Sophie Saunders and Benita Gill as well as center back Poppy Henderson who was out with an ankle injury

Due to the goalkeeping crisis, the Bassett management were forced into rotating the goalkeeper, with Holly Wannell starting in goal, behind the defensive pairing of Freya King and Annabel Wellsbury.

A first start of the season was handed out to midfielder Evie Lee-Gerrish, who was given the captain's armband, playing along side Robyn Spencer and Bethany Humphrey in midfield, with leading goalscorer Daisy Bundy leading the line.

On what was a bitterly cold morning, Bassett's starting seven entered the field with the instructions to battle hard for each other and get in the faces of their opponents to stop them from playing.

Bassett raced into a fourth minute lead when captain Evie Les-Gerrish pressed the Rangers full back on the edge of the box, before nicking the ball and setting up Robyn Spencer to smash home from close rang past the helpless keeper. It was just what the travelling supporters were hoping for - the chance to warm their hands, celebrating an early goal.

The early strike knocked the home side's confidence as Bassett pressed looking to add to their early strike. Daisy Bundy went close from Bethany Humphrey's pass and Evie Lee-Gerrish was unlucky not to wiggle free on the edge of the box shortly after.

Staverton's talented left midfielder was growing into the game as she went past Freya King only for her cross to be cleared by Annabel Wellsbury covering round the back. Rangers were now on top, so Bassett made their first change of the day, bringing on Mia Ohrland for Evie to add some fresh legs.

With the pressure mounting, Staverton won consecutive corners, with the second corner being put just wide from close range. Bassett again looked to freshen things up by introducing midfield enforcer Sienna Badman and wide midfielder Leah Jefferies for goalscorer Robyn and Bethany Humphrey, with the pacey Lillian Newbury replacing Daisy in attack.

This was a change that saw the girls hold the lead as the referee ended the first quarter. Robyn Spencer replaced Holly in Goal for the second quarter, with Holly moving into defence to give Annabel a rest. Rangers hit back to level after 17 minutes when a cross from the left was cut out by Holly Wannell and, unfortunately for Bassett, a Staverton forward was quickest to react to the loose ball to slot home.

Lillian Newbury threatened to run clear only for a last gasp tackle to stop her in her tracks. Mia Ohrland was next to test the Rangers back line. After winning the ball in midfield she set out running down the left wing only to be crowded out on the edge of the box.

Robyn Spencer was called in to late action just before half time, quickly coming off her line to smother the ball, denying the on rushing Rangers forward. The last opportunity before half time fell to Sienna Badman, who was unable to finish off her mazy run as she beat two players before shooting wide.

With the scores level at half time, manager Martin Jefferies and assistant Dan Badman made the decision to put top goal scorer Daisy Bundy in goal with the coaching team expecting the home side to throw everything at the girls as they looked to take the lead for the first time in the game.

Daisy was soon called into action, saving with her feet from a tame shot from distance. But the scene was set for a fifteen minute onslaught on the Bassett goal. With Bassett not able to get out of there own half, it was backs to the wall defending with shot after shot raining in from all angles.

Defensive lynchpin Freya King was the standout player, as she time and time again found herself in the way of shots or winning last ditch tackles. On the few times they did get past Freya, they found Daisy Bundy in inspired form, tipping one shot on to the post and saving well on two more occasions.

The travelling fans could feel the tension as wave after wave of attacks came from the home side. Bassett were forced to rotate the subs as they tried to stem the barrage of attacks and with the girls running themselves to a standstill. Somehow, Bassett managed to see out the third quarter with the scores still level.

Expecting more of the same in the final quarter, Bassett kept Daisy Bundy in goal after her heroics in the third quarter. Bassett came out rejuvenated and took the game to their hosts.

Bethany Humphrey ran free down the right and cut the ball back, only for a home defender to beat Robyn Spencer to the ball and clear. Robyn then tried her luck from distance but shot wide.

Rangers ventured forward, only to find player of the match Freya King unpassable as she set up a late counter attack for Bethany Humphrey that had the away crowd hoping for a late winner. She side-stepped one defender before shooting straight at the keeper.

Player of the match for Bassett was defender Freya King, whose defensive display had stifled the home side time and time again. Up next for the girls is another away day, this time against Hungerford Town Lionesses, who have only lost once this season.

Credit: Martin Jefferies
Last modified on Monday 6th December 2021 at 10:57