Sustain Stadium, Gerard Buxton Sports Ground, 17 September 2023
Royal Wootton Bassett Town maintained their 100% record to start the season as they recorded a thumping 5-1 win against Frome Town in their opening home South West Regional Women's Football League Division One Eastern fixture.
Having led 2-1 at the break, a superb second half performance saw Bassett finish the game with a more than comfortable margin of victory as Adam Wood and his side kept pace with fellow fast starters Poole.
Illness and holidays meant the Bassett boss was forced to make five changes to his starting eleven, with captain Laura Jefferies, star striker Libby Davies and midfielder Emma Sykes - player of the match in last week's big Women's FA Cup - among the absentees.
But demonstrating the strength that runs throughout the squad, Bassett didn't miss a beat.
The hosts led after just three minutes, Maddy Elliott tapping in after great build up play involving Holly Baker and Hannah Gulliver.
It was soon 1-1 though as Maisie Harris beat Briony Hurd for pace before beating Millie Powell with a shot from distance.
The two sides appeared as though they would go into the break with the scores level.
However, Gulliver had other ideas, grabbing an important, momentum-building goal. Launching a counter, Honor Fraser picked out Gulliver who then sought to pass forward. Her attempt was blocked but Gulliver quickly retained possession before driving forward and slotting home.
That strike proved decisive with Bassett stepping up a gear after the restart.
Baker quickly made it 3-1 as she mopped up the pieces, steering in after Natalie Goodright's initial effort was deflected into her path.
Baker and Goodright were then both involved in Bassett's fourth, playing a neat one-two before the former fed Elliott for her second.
The scoring was completed late on when Lucia Green raced onto Erin Hemsley's through ball, took one touch to control and then dispatched an emphatic finish from the edge of the area into the top corner for her first goal in senior football.
Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 17th September 2023 at 16:50
