Sustain Stadium, Gerard Buxton Sports Ground, 22 October 2023

Royal Wootton Bassett Town's hopes of a place in the Women's FA Cup first round proper were cruelly dashed as AFC Stoneham edged a tense third qualifying round tie 1-0 at the Sustain Stadium.

The only goal of the game came courtesy of the visitors' Rebecca Moody whose long range free kick following a questionable award proved beyond the reach of 'keeper Millie Powell with just over fifteen minutes of the match remaining.

Bassett therefore exited in the final qualifying round for the second season in a row.

This year's exit was a more painful one though.

Bassett were well beaten at the same stage in 2022-23, losing 5-2 at Torquay United.

In contrast, the home tie against Stoneham was a game which - despite Bassett's below par first half performance - could have swung either way, with just a solitary goal ultimately separating the teams.

Bassett's attentions will now return to the league - with their first foray into the Wiltshire County Cup set for December.

And despite the disappointment of falling just short in the Women's FA Cup, there's little time for soul searching with an important pair of back-to-back league fixtures against fellow promotion hopefuls Poole Town, starting with the home meeting next Sunday.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 22nd October 2023 at 19:22