The Red House, 3 September 2023

Royal Wootton Bassett Town opened up their South West Regional Women's Football League Division One Eastern campaign with what ultimately proved to be a convincing 3-0 derby victory away at Purton.

Two late goals from Emma Sykes made sure that Bassett had to wait just 90 minutes to record their first league win - a stark contrast to last season when Bassett were forced to endure an eight month stretch before registering three points for the first time.

Only the second ever meeting between the teams despite the very short distance that separates Bassett and Purton, their opening league encounter was very much reminiscent of last season's Wiltshire County Cup quarter final tie.

Bassett triumphed 3-1 on that occasion, but left it late to seal victory. While this time keeping a clean sheet, Adam Wood's side again were made to sweat before eventually pulling clear for a deserved victory.

The visitors led at the break courtesy of a Libby Davies on the half hour mark. Beating the offside trap to race onto a Kelly Nightingale clearance, she coolly converted when through one-on-one.

Bassett were deserved leaders on the balance of play, but it wasn't an entirely comfortable lead as Clare Moreton saw a long range effort crash off the outside of the post after Davies had spurned two more excellent opportunities following defensive errors from the hosts.

It took time for the second to come. Maddy Elliott fired straight at the Purton 'keeper when well placed early in the second half before Moreton came close to catching Millie Powell off her line from distance.

Eventually thought Bassett's second arrived as time started to wind down. Laura Jefferies, who had seen a free kick from much closer range rattle the bar, sent in a towering delivery from deep, which - catching a bobble - forced the home 'keeper to tip onto the post. And Sykes was on hand to bundle home the rebound.

While a somewhat messy goal, Bassett's third was then well-worked. Natalie Goodright picked out Sykes, who fed Davies with a first time pass. Her cross then found Lucia Green at the far post and the young debutant selflessly cut the ball back for Sykes, who produced an assured finish into the bottom corner.

Having made a winning start in the league, Bassett will now aim to make progress in the Women's FA Cup in next week's tie against Longwell Green.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 3rd September 2023 at 20:17