Sustain Stadium, Gerard Buxton Sports Ground, 17 December 2023
Royal Wootton Bassett Town recorded a thumping 8-0 win against Westbury Youth as Adam Wood's side comfortably triumphed in their Wiltshire Women's Cup second round tie.
And the win - which saw Bassett progress to the quarter finals - marked a welcome return for star striker Libby Davies who, hitting the ground running after a lengthy injury lay-off, netted four times.
En route to an appearance in last season's final Bassett had to overcome Wiltshire County Women's League opposition three times. And on each occasion Bassett found the going tough against lower level opponents.
Not on this occasion though as Bassett swept Westbury aside.
Caily Morse got the ball rolling. She should really have put Bassett ahead in the opening minute but shot wide while unmarked. However she soon made amends. Racing onto Honor Fraser's header in behind the Westbury defence, Morse made no mistake as visiting 'keeper Tory Swinney decided against shutting her down.
After a frustrating series of near misses, Davies eventually made it 2-0. Latching onto a Natalie Goodright pass, Davies used her pace to burst past the last defender before coolly finishing.
Soon after it was 3-0. Quick feet from Fraser took two Westbury players out of the game and she crossed for Laura Jefferies who set the ball back to Morse to fire into the net.
Bassett were unable to extend their already commanding lead further before half time. But Davies made it 4-0 shortly after the restart, slotting home after being picked out by an Emma Sykes header.
Reacting quickest to a corner that dropped in the box, Davies then had her hat trick.
Her fourth - and Bassett's sixth - followed when she coolly placed the ball beyond Swinney after Jefferies chested a Lucia Green cross down to her.
Green was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet when she smashed an effort against the post.
But Aly Topping was able to as she picked up the pieces after Morse's path to goal had been denied.
A fine solo effort from Lucy Goodright then completed the scoring and a solid afternoon's work.
An extremely tough test against Swindon Town awaits in the last eight. But Bassett will will give it all that they have and will be eyeing up an upset to earn a semi final place when they take the field for the tie in late January.
Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 17th December 2023 at 20:18
