Beth Chapman's first half goal and a superb second half defensive effort saw Royal Wootton Bassett Town clinch a vital 1-0 win away at Ilminster Town.

The result keeps alive Bassett's hopes of avoiding finishing bottom of the South West Regional Women's League Premier Division, and gives the team some margin of error for their visit to Warminster Town next week with a win or draw now enough to lift Simon Harrison's side above Poole Town.

Bassett were 5-0 winners against Ilminster when the teams met in Wiltshire last month, with that result being Bassett's first league victory of the season.

The return trip to Somerset was always going to be a tougher prospect, with three of Ilminster's five league wins having come on home soil.

But a stern defensive display - with goalkeeper Millie Powell in particularly fine form - helped Bassett tough it out for another three points.

Chapman had given Bassett the lead on the half hour mark as she picked out the bottom corner after Megan Young did well to pinch possession deep in Ilminster territory before laying the ball off to her teammate.

The goal was what Bassett had deserved, with the visitors just about on top in the first half.

Prior to Chapman scoring, Young had looped an effort just over the bar before Hannah Gulliver struck straight at Charlotte Johnson in the Ilminster goal.

Shortly after opening the scoring, Chapman saw a near identical effort to that which she scored from kept out by Johnson.

The hosts did start to pose questions as half time neared, with Powell quick off her line to snuff out the danger from a free kick, getting to the ball just ahead of the Ilminster forward.

That was a portent of things to come in the second half - but an inspired Powell made a handful of saves to keep Ilminster at bay.

She first saved from Ella Entwistle, whose effort from a dangerous Jodi Cornwall cross fell straight into the 'keepers' hands.

Cornwall then teed up Harrie Kelly, who could not find a way past Powell before the 'keeper pulled off an excellent stop to tip a rasping Cornwall drive around the post as it appeared headed for the bottom corner.

Bassett then had a great opportunity to double their lead as Holly Baker found herself through on goal, however she shot straight into the arms of Johnson.

One final chance then fell to Cornwall as she latched onto a through ball that had squeezed past two Bassett defenders but Powell once again stood firm to maintain her side's lead.

The visitors then held on to the final whistle, with a fine defensive display this time yielding maximum points.

There's still work to do next to haul themselves off the bottom, but Bassett will go into their visit to Warminster full of confidence that they can pull it off.

At least now two outcomes will suffice, a victory being a sufficient but not necessary condition.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 7th May 2023 at 17:47