Tori Taylor scored the only goal of the game as Royal Wootton Bassett Town edged out Bath City to return to winning ways in the South West Regional Women's Football League Division One North.

Only once before had a game between the teams been decided by more than one goal. And this latest encounter at Twerton Park was similarly on a knife edge throughout.

But ten minutes into the second half, the experienced Taylor produced what proved to be the decisive moment. She rose to flick on a Laura Jefferies cross into the box to Honor Fraser, who deftly chipped the ball back to Taylor. On the turn, Taylor swivelled and steered a crisp volley into the bottom left corner.

A game of few chances, one goal appeared likely to settle the game - and so it proved.

The first half had been a cagey affair with the best opportunity falling to Bath's Rebecca Fry who saw a curling effort from outside the area tipped wide by Millie Powell.

Even after Taylor had opened the scoring, the defences remained on top with little in terms of meaningful goalmouth action.

That was until a late flurry from Bath, who almost equalised. Powell spilled an innocuous looking long range strike from Rosie Burridge. But the 'keeper quickly made amends, parrying at the feet of Beth Edwards, who had seized on the rebound.

Shortly after the hosts earned a corner that pinballed around the box. And with the ball only half cleared Bassett conceded a free kick just outside the area that Fry got up and over the wall, only for an outstretched Powell to turn the ball around the post.

The subsequent corner again bounced around the box before eventually being hacked clear and heralding, to Bassett's relief, the final whistle.

With title rivals Bitton, Corsham Town and Whitchurch all victorious, this was a big win for Bassett that ensured they kept pace in a fascinatingly tight race.

Bassett do still sit fifth - but just three points separate them from leaders Corsham, who they play next in the league in what promises to be a derby cracker.

First up though is a cup quarter final at home against Bitton - with both teams eyeing victory to keep alive potential hopes of a double.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 1st March 2026 at 21:31