The South West Regional Women's Football League season might only be two months' old, but Poole Town struck a potentially decisive early blow in the battle for promotion from Division One Eastern as they triumphed 5-1 against Royal Wootton Bassett Town at the Sustain Stadium.

The win gives Poole, who have played two games more, a nine point lead over Bassett. And the result means that Adam Wood and his side can ill afford to lose the return fixture which takes place as soon as next Sunday.

Bassett found themselves chasing the game early as the visitors scored twice in three minutes to give themselves the advantage.

On sixteen minutes Summer Williams seized on a poor clearance before picking out Emma King who made no mistake.

Another defensive error then set up Chloe McCombie, who intercepted Darcy Cox's attempted clearance before slotting past on an onrushing Millie Powell.

Ten minutes before the break Bassett were able to halve their deficit. Great pressing from Caily Morse forced Poole to turnover possession deep inside the visitors' territory and her finish proved too much for Bebe Smith.

That goal unnerved Poole briefly and two chances in quick succession fell to Maddy Elliott, however on both occasions she was unable to find the target.

Poole capitalised on those let offs, grabbing a third before the break. Briony Hurd's headed clearance fell into the path of the visitors' Lauren Kelly and she burst past Cox before conjuring a shot that proved just too powerful for Powell who was unable to keep the ball out, despite getting a hand to it.

A King penalty following a Kelly Nightingale foul put the outcome beyond doubt midway through the second period.

Katie Marshallsay then completed the scoring with quarter of an hour to go as Poole sealed an emphatic win.

In such a small division - whose size was reduced further after Pen Mill's withdrawal - with just one guaranteed promotion place, the margin for error was always going to be small for those sides aiming to reach the Premier Division.

Even though they are just five games in, Bassett's promotion hopes now rely heavily on a win next week and Poole dropping points elsewhere.

There is still plenty to play for though both in the league and County Cup. And Bassett's start to the season, in particular the Women's FA Cup run, has been a strong one. Bassett now will seek to bounce back at the earliest opportunity - and quickly avenge this heavy defeat.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 29th October 2023 at 17:05