Royal Wootton Bassett Town suffered their first defeat of the season as they fell to a 5-2 defeat in a Thursday night South West Regional Women's Football League Division One North encounter against Bitton.

Bassett were ultimately made to pay for a sluggish first half in which the hosts were able to go into a 2-0 lead. While Adam Wood's side were able to get back on level terms early in the second period, the energy they had to expend chasing the game ultimately caught up to them, with Bitton finding the net three further times to claim a convincing, deserved victory.

While Bassett had been short of their best in the opening period, it did take Bitton more than half an hour to grab the first goal of the night.

Eventually though, Izzy Williams found herself in on goal and rounded 'keeper Millie Powell. Her shot appeared as though it would creep in, but Jasmine Kennedy did just enough to recover and keep the ball out. However, Abbie Woodley Marshall was on hand to seize on the loose ball and pick out the bottom corner.

It was then 2-0 on the stroke of half time. Bassett failed to clear the lines, with Amelie Collins assuming possession and she found Williams who made no mistake.

That left Bassett with an uphill task to get back to into the game. But, to their credit, the visitors were able to restore parity by the time the game reached the hour mark.

Hannah Gulliver struck first, slotting home after Honor Fraser did well to win the ball deep in Bitton territory, with her pass intended for Maddy Elliott slipping into the path of Gulliver.

Bitton did come close to restoring their two goal advantage almost immediately. But, having survived that let off, Elliott levelled as she scored with a fine first time finish into the top corner after good build up play involving Kennedy and Caitlin Brooks.

The turnaround was then almost complete when Brooks teed up Gulliver but her goalbound effort was kept out by a great save from home 'keeper Zoe Hodgson.

Soon after Bitton made it 3-2. Bassett thought they had avoided falling behind again as a goalline clearance and Powell save kept Woodley Marshall out, but she had another bite at the cherry and grabbed her second of the match.

Five minutes later, Williams gave Bitton their second two-goal lead of the evening, finishing into the top corner after a surging run.

Williams then completed her hat trick late on to round off the scoring.

The first blow of the season that Bassett have suffered, they will be looking to quickly bounce back from this defeat when they visit Paulton Rovers on Sunday.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Friday 4th October 2024 at 08:31