Itching to play after having to kick their heels the past two weekends, Royal Wootton Bassett Town returned to South West Regional Women's Football League Premier Division action in style as they recorded a thumping 5-1 victory against Gloucester City.

Having scored no more than twice inside 90 minutes in their opening six competitive games, a well rested Bassett burst out of the blocks as they produced an emphatic, clinical five goal haul that lifted them above their visitors in the table.

Indeed, Bassett can even claim they hit the Tigers for six as the visitors' goal came courtesy of Alice Bowden, who was unfortunate to slice into her own net from a low cross into the box with the game just four minutes old. 'Keeper Millie Powell was left with no chance as the ball sailed into the top corner.

That didn't faze the hosts - and they pulled themselves level midway through the half courtesy of leading scorer Megan Young's deft near post header as she guided home from a Laura Jefferies corner.

Another Jefferies set piece put Bassett ahead on the stroke of half time. Bassett forced three consecutive corners as Gloucester failed to clear their lines. And from the final delivery Kelly Nightingale shed her marker before coolly steering a cool side foot volley into the bottom right corner.

It was a lead Bassett deserved - and one they would extend further with a quick fire three goal salvo in the space of six second half minutes.

Yet another set piece brought Bassett's third. Freya Monk swung in a free kick from the right side and Nightingale was on hand to stab in from six yards out.

It was four almost immediately. Tori Taylor's pass forward wasn't dealt with properly and the mishit clearance fell for Lauren Bulley. She fed fellow substitute Poppy Wannell in the right channel, who advanced into the box before cutting back for Bulley to sweep home her first of the season.

Bassett weren't done though, and after Nightingale was shoved in the box, Bulley slotted the resulting spot kick into the left corner of the net.

James Lally's side now sit fifth, with the ability to climb the table further - and just four points separate them from second place occupiers Poole Town, who Bassett hold two games in hand over and host next in the league.

League Cup action is next up though with a quarter final trip to AEK Boco.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 1st November 2026 at 21:24