Royal Wootton Bassett Town's hopes of pulling off a Wiltshire County Women's Cup quarter final shock were emphatically quashed as Adam Wood's side fell to a 6-0 defeat against Swindon Town.
Facing opponents from the FA Women's National League Division One South West - two levels above the South West Regional Women's Football League Division One Eastern - Bassett entered the tie as big underdogs. And, although putting up a decent fight, the gap between the sides was evident as Swindon claimed a convincing win.
The Robins didn't have it all their own way though - in particular, Bassett put up some strong resistance in the second half. But the damage had already been done in the opening period, with Swindon going into half time with a 4-0 lead after a ruthless attacking display that included three goals scored within the space of ten minutes.
Swindon went ahead with quarter of an hour gone. There was a slice of fortune in their opener too as Georgia Vandries' deflected shot fell into the path of teammate Meg Jarvis who coolly placed past Millie Powell in the Bassett goal.
While being in control of proceedings, the Robins had only that solitary goal to their name as the opening stanza edged towards its completion.
That would soon change though. On 30 minutes Jarvis added a second before Billie Haynes' wind assisted free kick from thirty yards out made it 3-0 four minutes later. Holly Randall then mopped up after Powell produced a fine save but could only palm away from a corner as Swindon asserted their dominance.
To their credit, Bassett didn't cave in and instead a determined effort following the restart seemed set to deny Swindon the opportunity to extend their lead any further.
Playing with the wind behind them, Bassett also created opportunities too. The best chances fell to Libby Davies who saw a shot well saved by Shawna Hannam after Hannah Gulliver had set her up before heading wide from a Gulliver delivery.
Eventually though, with eight minutes remaining, Swindon got their fifth as Vandries weaved her way into the box before picking out the top corner.
After Amber Egerton almost pulled one back for Bassett, seeing a shot saved by Hannam following a corner, Vandries then added her second - and her team's sixth. She produced a composed finish after Jarvis had rounded Powell and, finding the angle too tight to shoot, squared to her teammate.
The toughest draw Bassett could have faced, there's certainly no harm in bowing out to Swindon.
Bassett's attentions now turn back to the league and their final six games of the season as the team seek to secure an immediate return to tier five.
Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 21st January 2024 at 19:56
