Sustain Stadium, Gerard Buxton Sports Ground, 26 February 2023

Despite a valiant late comeback attempt, Royal Wootton Bassett Town remain winless in the South West Regional Women's Football League as they lost 3-2 to Cornish visitors Liskeard Athletic.

Trailing 3-0 with little time remaining, Simon Harrison's side looked dead and buried. But goals from Holly Baker and Maddy Elliott brought Bassett back into the match. However they were ultimately unable to complete the turnaround and claim a point.

A slow start to the match proved Bassett's undoing as the visitors were able to take the lead within the opening five minutes courtesy of Hannah Prisk's powerful effort.

That was to be the only goal of the opening period, with Bassett playing much better after the restart.

However despite their performance level improving, Bassett conceded two more goals, with an Emily Sweet strike followed by Ellie Bishop's deft finish.

There appeared to be no hope for Bassett to get anything from the game - even after Baker headed home following a Laura Jefferies corner.

But Bassett felt they had a clear chance after Megan Young's surging run allowed her to latch onto a ball over the top and square to Elliott to slot home a second for the hosts.

Time ran out on Bassett though as Liskeard held on for the win.

Time also now appears to be running out on Bassett's spell at level five of the women's game - victory for Ilminster Town mean they are now twelve points adrift of the sides outside the bottom two. If anything the best Bassett can now hope for is to leapfrog second from bottom Poole Town before the end of the season.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Tuesday 28th February 2023 at 18:30