November is set to be a vitally important month in the South West Regional Women's Football League Division One North for Royal Wootton Bassett Town. And James Lally's side got off to the perfect start, recording an impressive 3-1 victory against last season's runners-up Bitton.

Bitton got the better of Bassett in 2024-25. But goals from Briony Hurd, Maddy Elliott and Lauren Bulley ensured it's advantage Bassett this time round in what is shaping up to be a very open title race.

Bassett took the lead on the stroke of half time when Hurd bundled the ball home after a towering Hannah Gulliver corner led to a brief scramble in the six yard box.

The second goal - and the lead up to it - would be critical in determining the game's final outcome.

After racing onto an Elle Scott through ball, Gulliver knocked the ball past 'keeper Hayley Honeywell, who scythed the Bassett forward down with a heavy, cynical lunge just outside the box.

Honeywell was duly dismissed, sparking protestations from the Bitton bench and forcing the visitors to put an outfield player in goal.

Elliott stepped up to take the free kick and steered a precise low strike into the bottom left corner to make it 2-0.

It was soon 3-0. After receiving possession on the left wing, player of the match Elliott burst inside before feeding a pass to Bulley. Two touches took Bulley into the box where she arrowed a clever toe poke into the bottom right corner.

A speculative long range effort from Bella Twaddle that looped in over the head of Millie Powell did pull one back for Bitton with quarter of an hour to go.

But, with the man advantage, Bassett weren't really threatened for the rest of the match, and claimed an important victory.

The tough fixtures continue - next up Bassett visit early leaders Mangotsfield United, who - like Bassett, are still unbeaten.

But Lally and his team will go into the game full of confidence after this triumph.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 2nd November 2025 at 21:48