2-1 down as the game entered stoppage time, Royal Wootton Bassett Town appeared on the verge of an agonising Adobe Women's FA Cup second qualifying round exit.

Despite having taken an early lead through Maddy Elliott, visitors Ilminster Town struck twice either side of half time through Jodi Cornwall and Aimee Kingdom to turn the tie around. And as time wound down their sights were firmly set on a place in the third and final qualifying round.

However, Bassett dug as deep as they could and in the third minute of added time Lucy Goodright delivered a fine ball into the box that Kat Bach headed home for 2-2.

There was little time for either team to find a winner after that, which meant penalties. And ultimately it was Bassett who progressed, snatching a 5-4 victory on spot kicks.

A drama-filled afternoon, the two sides produced a thriller littered with chances. As the higher level team, it was perhaps little surprise that Ilminster produced the greater number. But they were unable to muster more than the two goals they eventually scored, with Bassett 'keeper Millie Powell in fine form.

Indeed the first opportunity of the match brought a save out of Powell as she raced off her line to tip wide.

At the other end, Caitlin Brookes saw a header from a Laura Jefferies corner go narrowly wide before visiting shotstopper Renee Marquis smothered at the feet of Elliott when she was through on goal.

Elliott soon had Bassett ahead though, picking up a pass from Bach before producing a long range lob that beat Marquis with the game just twelve minutes old.

Ilminster quickly levelled as the always dangerous Cornwall found space on the edge of the area and made no mistake with a powerful effort.

That goal initiated a spell of significant Ilminster pressure which Bassett were able to weather.

Powell diverted an Abi Locke shot onto the post with Darcy Cox able to clear the rebound away from danger. Kelly Nightingale then was in the right place at the right time to head a seemingly goalbound Cornwall shot over the bar.

A further two saves from Powell - the first to deny Cornwall again, the second to tip wide a long range Maisie Parker strike - kept the scores level at the break.

Nat Goodright came close to restoring Bassett's lead shortly after play resumed, hitting just wide from a Brookes layoff.

But it would be the visitors who grabbed the game's third goal with 52 minutes on the clock. Lannece Hole played a ball in behind the Bassett defence which Kingdon raced onto and she beat Powell before tapping in from close range.

The game continued to be a frantic, tense affair.

Bassett pushed to get back on terms but blocked efforts from Emma Sykes and Elliott seemed to be the best they could produce.

Ilminster came closest to adding to their tally with Ellie Orritt twice hitting just over - the second time from just a matter of yards out - and Kingdon narrowly missing the target with a free kick.

And those near misses eventually came back to haunt them.

Bach summoned penalties with her stoppage time header.

The first four rounds of spot kicks then saw the teams produce eight perfect penalties. Sarah Smith, Hannah Billing, Cornwall and Parker scored for the visitors - who had the advantage of taking first. Sykes, Elliott, Bach and Natalie Goodright replied for Bassett.

It was essentially now sudden death and Ilminster immediately gave Bassett the opportunity to win the tie as Orritt blazed wide. Kelly Nightingale stepped up to take Bassett's fifth spot kick and she made no mistake, coolly slotting home.

Bassett have now reached the third qualifying round three years in a row. The past two seasons have seen Bassett exit at that stage. Now the aim will be to finally progress a stage further and advance to the first round proper for the first time in club history.

Monday's draw is eagerly awaited.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 22nd September 2024 at 20:20