Royal Wootton Bassett Town's hopes of reaching the Wiltshire County Women's Cup final were dashed as two early goals decided their semi final in Swindon Town's favour.

Bassett put up a good fight against their higher level opponents. However, a pair of long range efforts inside the game's opening twenty minutes ultimately proved enough for Swindon to set up a final date with Purton - and a repeat of last season's showpiece.

Adam Wood's side weren't helped by the fact that 'keeper Millie Powell picked up an injury in the warm up, forcing an unexpected reshuffle prior to kick off which included midfielder Alice Telling being forced to don the gloves.

Although forced to pluck the ball from her twice early on, Bassett's emergency 'keeper performed well - and was helped by her defence limiting the opportunities Swindon had.

It says something that the winning side's goals both came from distance.

Elise Haines opened the scoring on nine minutes with a looping effort from twenty yards out.

Following a good move down the Swindon, Elise Clayton then doubled the lead just after the quarter hour mark with another long range lob.

That would be all Swindon could muster - though they came close to a third midway through the opening period when Libby Waylen played in Tori St Clair, whose effort rattled the post.

Bassett enjoyed a spell of pressure towards the end of the first half, but they were unable to convert that into any chances of real note.

The second half then saw limited opportunities for both teams.

Telling produced assured saves to deny Haines and Mia Mugford from a free kick. Meanwhile, Antoinette Salavaria found the side netting with a tight angled effort. Swindon did also have the ball in the back of the net through St Clair but her effort was ruled out as she had strayed offside before latching onto former Bassett star Libby Davies' through ball.

At the other end, Basset were unable to make a breakthrough as Swindon secured their final berth.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 16th February 2025 at 19:06