Royal Wootton Bassett Town booked their place in the Women's FA Cup third qualifying round with a resounding 7-2 win away against South West Regional Women's Football League Division One Eastern rivals Stockwood Wanderers.

Hannah Gulliver was once again the star of the show for Bassett as she scored a hat trick for the second consecutive week.

But, aided by a clinical performance in front of goal, this was another excellent result that ensured Bassett advanced comfortably, matching their best run in the competition and moving just one win away from a place in the first round proper.

It took some time for Bassett to get going with the opening exchanges seeing both teams get forward without posing too much of a threat.

The best early opportunity fell to Bassett's Maddy Elliott whose low shot was kept out on the dive by Jenna Lou Bedford.

Thwarted on that occasion, Elliott made sure Bedford would not feature in the equation when she netted Bassett's first on 20 minutes. Racing onto a Natalie Goodright through ball, Elliott rounded the onrushing 'keeper before finishing well with a firm finish from a tight angle.

Six minutes later the visitors doubled their lead. They had survived a small scare when Lauren Phillips struck over from a free kick, and Gulliver made sure to give Bassett some extra cushion, finishing coolly after pressure from Jasmine Kennedy forced an errant pass from a home defender.

Stockwood were still in the game though and enjoyed a good spell which saw Katie Whitmarsh head wide and Grace Phillips fire narrowly over.

After failing to capitalise, two further Bassett goals in first half stoppage time put paid to any reasonable hopes Stockwood may have had of getting back into the game.

Bassett's third came when a Laura Jefferies free kick was allowed to bounce in the box and Elliott headed into the bottom corner.

Shortly after Goodright drove forward before feeding Gulliver, who made no mistake.

Stockwood did pull one back early in the second half when Toni Blenkinsopp seized on a Briony Hurd slip and made no mistake.

But Bassett quickly restored their four goal advantage when Bedford flapped at a Jefferies delivery, palming the ball straight into the path of Goodright who slotted in.

Bassett's sixth then arrived with just over twenty minutes to go. Kennedy drew a somewhat clumsy foul on the left wing and Gulliver's deliver sailed over everybody for her to complete another hat trick.

Millie Powell was then forced to make a good save before Goodright passed up a chance at her second, scuffing her effort.

Substitute Lucia Green made no mistake though with ten minutes remaining. Receiving a Goodright pass on the left wing, the youngster burst forward before cutting inside and firing in low at the near post.

Stockwood were able to grab another consolation goal as Lauren Phillips slotted past Powell after being set up by Whitmarsh.

But Bassett had more than done enough, sealing a fifth straight win to start the season - and a second impressive victory in the Women's FA Cup.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Monday 2nd October 2023 at 21:06