Caily Morse's early goal and a strong defensive effort guided Royal Wootton Bassett Town to victory away at Weymouth in the team's penultimate game of their South West Regional Women's Football League Division One Eastern campaign.

With runners-up spot already secured, on paper Bassett had little to play for as they made the long trip down to the Dorset coast.

Despite that though, Adam Wood's side put in a strong performance that ultimately delivered victory - with the result meaning that Bassett will finish the season having beaten all but one of their league opponents. The lone side Bassett were unable to crack was Bath City - though Bassett can take solace from the fact they got the better of the Romans in their recent League Cup second round meeting.

The only goal of the game arrived after just three minutes. Libby Davies' through ball split open the Weymouth defence, with Maddy Elliott latching onto her past. Elliott's firm shot was parried by home 'keeper Issy Heybourne, but the rebound fell to Morse who pounced on the loose ball and coolly slotted home.

While there was to be no further scoring, the remaining 87 minutes were full of chances and intrigue with Bassett withstanding significant pressure - especially in the second half - as Weymouth were unable to get back on terms.

Bassett enjoyed a fast start and twice came close to extending their lead in the game's early stages. First, after getting in behind the Weymouth defence, Hannah Gulliver delivered a dangerous cross that Heybourne had to be alert to save. The Weymouth 'keeper then saved low from a left-footed Davies effort.

Bassett knew from their home encounter with Weymouth in February that the Terras would represent a big challenge though. And it wasn't long before the hosts were threatening.

Lucy Roberts fired narrowly over from a free kick on the edge of the box after Lilia Slattery was forced into conceding a foul.

Millie Powell then had to save with her feet to deny Emily Screen, with the rebound just evading home captain Charlotte Wilson.

Screen soon had a double opportunity, with Powell dealing with the first before Darcy Cox got her body in the way to block the second.

Later in the half Screen found space to shoot but once again was denied by Powell.

Powell continued to be in inspired form as, three minutes before the interval, she was able to keep out another Roberts free kick that seemed destined for the top corner.

A slice of luck almost saw Weymouth equalise early in the second period when Bianca Osborne's flick on somehow evaded Briony Hurd and landed in the path of Kaydee Thornicroft but the Weymouth substitute could only drag wide.

There was some respite for the Bassett defence as play returned to the other end. 'Keeper Heybourne was bravely off her line to save at the feet of Elliott as the Bassett forward sought to latch onto Davies' pass. After seeing her ball in cleared only as far as her, Davies then scuffed wide after Weymouth failed to clear.

For the remainder of the game though the Bassett defence came under significant pressure.

Bassett did ride their luck midway through the half as Thornicroft passed up a golden opportunity after being played in by Wilson's quick free kick.

Ten minutes later Roberts was just off target with another free kick before strong defending from Cox allowed her to muscle Thornicroft off the ball as the Weymouth forward broke into the box.

The hosts final chance then fell to Ellia Webb who, after Bassett appeals for a handball went unanswered, could only shoot wide when under pressure from Jasmine Kennedy, who had made a good recovery run to be in position to hassle her opponent.

Bassett thus were able to hold on for a victory that sees them pull within five points of champions Poole Town. Wood and his team will be hoping to narrow the Dolphins' margin of victory to just two points when they host Shaftesbury in their final league fixture at the start of April.

In the meantime, Bassett will be engaged in friendly action against Frampton Rangers next week with the possibility of a League Cup quarter final to follow that.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 10th March 2024 at 18:22