A contest pitting first against third in the South West Regional Women's Football League Division One North ended all square after Royal Wootton Bassett Town surrendered a 2-0 lead against Mangotsfield United.

James Lally's side seemed on course to make it five wins from five league games - and to move up to second in the table - at half time after a pair of early goals from Tori Taylor and Maddy Elliott.

Instead, however, Mangotsfield clawed their way back onto level terms to cap off a closely fought encounter.

Bassett made a furious start and were 2-0 up inside ten minutes.

Taylor opened the scoring, demonstrating her strength and finishing ability as she started and finished the goalscoring move.

Receiving a pass thirty yards from goal, Taylor did well to shield the ball before freeing Honor Fraser in the right channel. Fraser's cross into the box was then cleared only as far as the edge of the box where Taylor was lurking and she arrowed a precise first time drive into the bottom left corner.

Elliott quickly doubled the visitors' lead. Laura Jefferies seized possession before feeding Elliott on the left wing. Elliott then burst inside, outpaced two defenders and poked past the onrushing 'keeper, with the ball going in off the right post.

Taking a leaf out of Bassett's book, Mangotsfield scored shortly after the restart to restore a foothold in the game. And their first arrived in fortuitous fashion as Millie Powell was unable to come up with Adele Elliott's left wing cross, with the ball trickling over the line.

Shortly after the hour the scores were level. Bassett were guilty of overplaying at the back and Olivia Goozee seized upon a stray Powell pass before firing in from the edge of the box.

Neither side was then able to find a winner despite both teams having chances.

The result, combined with wins for Whichurch, Bitton and Corsham Town, saw Mangotsfield drop from top spot and Bassett slip to fifth.

But it's shaping up to be a thrilling, wide open title race as the top five in the division remains exceptionally close.

Bassett, Mangotsfield and Corsham all remain unbeaten too.

Those records will come under serious threat after next week's break for County Cup action. A week later Mangotsfield and Corsham go at it while November ends for Bassett with a fixture against Whitchurch.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 9th November 2025 at 21:22