Season ends in style

Gerard Buxton Sports Ground, 28 April 2024

Royal Wootton Bassett Town finished their South West Regional Women's Football League Division One Eastern campaign on a high with a stylish 4-1 home win against Shaftesbury.

Having made extremely hard work of a 2-1 victory when the teams met in Dorset in mid-January, this time Adam Wood's side were largely in charge of the match.

Bassett led after 17 minutes as Hannah Gulliver fired in off the crossbar - with a little help from visiting 'keeper Emma Stranger - after Maddy Elliott surged forward and selflessly squared to her teammate.

Despite creating multiple chances, the hosts were unable to extend their lead before the interval.

Stranger smothered at the feet of Elliott as she sought to round the 'keeper after being played in by Natalie Goodright. Goodright and Elliott then narrowly missed the target before captain Laura Jefferies saw a free kick turned over the bar. The resulting corner was met by Kelly Nightingale whose header went safely into Stranger's hands.

But Bassett did eventually double their advantage - and the goal came almost instantly after the restart. Gulliver found Jefferies whose dangerous ball into the box picked out Elliott who tapped home.

Jefferies then grabbed a second assist as her brilliant ball picked out Elliott, who - after a sublime first touch - coolly slotted past Stranger.

The visitors did pull one back as Nicola Castle lobbed Millie Powell from just outside the box following good build up play with Sammy Shingler.

However Bassett quickly restored their three goal lead to make it 4-1. Gulliver pounced on a loose goal kick and picked out Emma Sykes, who emphatically fired into the net from twenty yards out.

Bassett thus end the season just two points behind champions Poole Town. They may have missed out on the title - and with it promotion back to the Premier Division.

But, nine points clear of third place Purton, Bassett were a class above the rest of the field and will head into next year full of confidence that they can go one better.