A victory and a clean sheet were just what the doctor ordered as Royal Wootton Bassett Town claimed a deserved 2-0 win against Yate Town in the South West Regional Women's Football League Premier Division.

Two consecutive defeats - including last week's Women's FA Cup humbling away at Bridgwater United - had set Bassett back after a solid opening three games.

But James Lally's side put those results behind them with a valuable three points against Yate that keeps them firmly in touch with the teams at the top. And the final score didn't reflect the nature of Bassett's dominance of a game in which they were unlucky not to win by a much bigger margin.

Bassett were on top for the majority of the match and had good opportunities to lead early.

Tori Taylor flashed a header just wide from a Poppy Wannell cross following a short corner. A double chance then saw a Megan Young effort blocked following Elle Scott's through ball before Shawna Hannam parried Wannell's rebound effort.

Bassett eventually led after a swift counter on the half hour mark.

Scott would start and finish the move. She intercepted the ball midway inside her own half before midfield partner Taylor advanced play with a pass to Young. A surging run from Young stretched the Yate defence and, on the edge of the area, she turned before setting back to Scott, who rode a challenge and swept a confident finish into the bottom right corner.

The woodwork denied Bassett a second shortly after as their pace continued to cause Yate's defence problems with Wannell steering onto the post from Young's cutback from the byline. Yate failed to clear and Scott shot narrowly wide from the edge of the area.

Bassett did get their second ten minutes into the second half. Laura Jefferies swung in a corner to the near post and, after shedding her marker, Young produced a composed side foot volley from close range that flew in.

The hosts were unfortunate not to have a third when a long kick from Millie Powell set Freya Monk in behind the defence. The young winger had the beating of a Hannam with a low drive but struck the right upright.

Scott then smashed narrowly over on the half volley from a Taylor corner.

Yate had a decent late spell but failed to really trouble Powell as Bassett preserved their first clean sheet of the season.

And Bassett threatened again late on with Wannell firing into the side netting after latching onto another dangerous through ball.

All in all, it was a good afternoon's work thanks to a determined and motivated performance.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 11th October 2026 at 21:35