Royal Wootton Bassett Town suffered a setback in the race for the South West Regional Women's Football League Division One North title as they fell to a shock 3-2 defeat away against Stockwood Wanderers.

Facing a Stockwood side fighting to escape the bottom three, Bassett's midweek visit to Bristol was always going to be a challenging one.

But having kept seven consecutive league clean sheets, James Lally's team entered the game as clear favourites.

Yet they ultimately fell victim to an upset defeat - and missed out on the opportunity to take over top spot from leaders Corsham Town.

Stockwood took the lead from the penalty spot courtesy of Izzy Marsh before Hannah Gulliver equalised with a well taken goal.

However, Maddie Stadde headed a second to restore Stockwood's lead - an advantage her team took into the break after 'keeper Ava Vowles saved from a Lauren Bulley penalty.

Bassett's evening went from bad to worse after the restart when Stockwood captain Toni Blenkinsopp capitalised on a defensive error to make it 3-1.

Alice Bowden did pull one back for Bassett, slotting home after Elle Scott collected a Gulliver corner and squared to the experienced defender.

But, despite a late rally and throwing everything they could at Stockwood, an equaliser was not forthcoming, with Bassett enduring the added frustration of seeing a goal disallowed.

Despite the result, Bassett can still go top - but to do so they now must beat local rivals Cirencester Town at home on Sunday. Fail to win that game, and Bassett will be playing catchup with two games to go.

That added pressure is something that Bassett could have done without.

All three title challengers - Bassett, Corsham and Bitton - can now achieve a maximum of 54 points if they win all their remaining games, with Bassett currently holding the tiebreaker on goal difference should that come into play.

With Bitton and Corsham due to play each other next weekend, one or both are guaranteed to not reach that number.

Here's hoping Bassett stay the course to get there.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Thursday 30th April 2026 at 21:20