Royal Wootton Bassett Town fell to their second defeat of the South West Regional Women's Football League Premier Division season as visitors Sherborne Town recorded a 3-1 victory at the Swindon Mercedes Stadium.

Third place finishers in each of the last three seasons, Sherborne went into the campaign as one of the favourites for the title. They had endured a somewhat frustrating start though with two draws and a defeat from their opening three games. However, their visit to Wiltshire got them off the mark.

Sherborne led midway through the first half. They had the better of the game's early chances as Charlotte Harmer twice found herself in behind the home defence but was unable to find the target on both occasions.

But Sherborne soon took advantage of Bassett's early season set piece struggles continued. A corner was floated into the far post where a glancing close range header from Kira Hockley sneaked past Millie Powell.

The visitors took their lead into the break. However, Bassett struck back shortly after the restart. After stealing possession just inside her half, Elle Scott surged forward past two defenders before threading a through ball into the path of Megan Young, who continued her fine early season form in front of goal with a cool finish beneath Esme Lamb.

That led to the game, now being played in driving rain, to open up as both sides sought to get on the front foot.

Sherborne remained the most threatening though and good low save from Powell kept out Keira Lane-Leney's shot on the turn.

Minutes later the Bassett 'keeper was beaten by a fluke of a goal. The hosts thought they had cleared, with the ball falling to Sherborne centre half Sienna Trusson. Seeing the space in front of her, Trusson strode forward before firing a shot from a good thirty yards out. Her effort caught a wicked deflection from Darcy Cox on the edge of the box, which wrongfooted Powell who - forced to redirect - was unable to cleanly come up with the ball as it found its way into the net.

Bassett almost produced an immediate response as Kelly Nightingale saw a shot blocked on the line after a corner fell to her. And Poppy Wannell forced an awkward save from Lamb after being slipped in by Scott.

But Sherborne were to deliver a suckerpunch. Sarah Lewendon seized upon a heavy touch from Alice Bowden before setting Lissy Shapland free in the left channel and she swept past Powell from the edge of the area to seal victory for Sherborne.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 27th September 2026 at 21:03