When you think of the name Bassett in relation to women’s football, you would usually think of the Legendary Lionesses defender Laura Bassett, but today I visited an alternative, the tranquil Wiltshire market town of Royal Wootton Bassett. The town’s women’s football team play in South West Women’s Football League Eastern Division. Today’s visitors to the modern & impressive Gerard Buxton Sports Complex just on the outskirts of town, were Swindon Spitfires. The Spitfires were founded in 1967 one of the country’s oldest women’s football clubs.
After a warm welcome on a calm but autumnal day in front of a splattering of spectators, Bassett immediately showed there authority testing the Spitfires defence. Their reward finally coming halfway through the half with a well-worked goal scored by Amber Egerton in the top corner. A towering defensive performance by Bassett’s Hannah Gulliver saw the home team go into the break still 1-0 up.
After stern words by their coach, Spitfires were a different animal in the second half. Despite Bassett’s manager Johnny House making multiple changes, including bringing on there recently acquired utility winger Zoe Shellard from local team Melksham Town, Spitfires struck twice in quick succession with a brace by Lani Dickinson. Despite an onslaught in the final minutes, Bassett were unable to find an equaliser and Spitfires, somewhat against the run of play, took all three points back with them to Swindon.
A thoroughly entertaining match and superb advert for women’s football in Wiltshire.