Despite a valiant defensive effort, Royal Wootton Bassett Town suffered defeat by the narrowest margins away against Torquay United, who - needing a win - did just enough to claim the South West Regional Women's Football League Premier Division title.

Torquay were strong favourites heading into the match - however, the pressure was on them to get the result they needed to leapfrog Bristol Rovers in their final game of the season.

And Bassett made their hosts work extremely hard to claim victory - a fact that was reflected in the relief Torquay showed at the final whistle as they celebrated sealing a deserved promotion.

The game was ultimately decided by an Emma Hunt goal on the stroke of half time.

Throughout the rest of the game, Torquay found the Bassett backline - who went into the match having kept two consecutive clean sheets - difficult to break down.

Given the quality of their opponents, Bassett set out to park the bus - and they executed their gameplan near enough perfectly.

Aside from Hunt's goal, the only other time Millie Powell was beaten came from a Mia Preston strike in the second half, but the woodwork came to Bassett's rescue.

Bassett were therefore in the game right until the end, but ultimately they were unable to snatch an equaliser.

Despite the outcome, this was another positive performance from Bassett.

However, with Poole Town drawing at Warminster Town in their final fixture, there is now more for Bassett to do if they are climb off the bottom of the table in their remaining fixtures away at Ilminster Town and Warminster.

Four points will guarantee Bassett finish above Poole. A single win coupled with a loss might do it too - though for that to be enough, Bassett will also have to overcome a three goal deficit on goal difference to Poole.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 30th April 2023 at 19:46