Salisbury 2nds 1 vs 1 Wootton Bassett 1sts

Wootton Bassett Ladies 1sts started their league season this Saturday away at Salisbury. The league had decided to move Bassett to a new division this season so they didn't really know what to expect and, also, being on a straight 11 Bassett were understandably a little apprehensive. Bassett got off to a shaky start leaving joint player of the match Emms in goal to make more saves than she probably would have liked to in the first 10 minutes! However, after an uncertain start, Bassett seemed to find their rhythm and started to play some good attacking hockey down the wings resulting in some short corners and shots on goal. Unfortunately though, after pushing players up for a hopeful attack, a Salisbury player intercepted one of Bassett’s passes which lead to a three on two situation at the back, Becky Thomas tried to make a last ditch tackle but the Salisbury player got her shot away and beat Emms to make the score 1-0 to Salisbury at half time. Bassett were expecting Salisbury to come strong at them after the restart but this was not the case, Bassett were definitely the stronger of the two teams in the second half. Less than 10 minutes in and a reverse stick pass from Tegan Buchanan in defence found Katy Cox on the wing who did a fantastic run down the left and passed the ball off to Abi Iles who got a shot away, the goal keeper made the initial save but the rebound fell back to Cox who slotted it neatly just inside the post to level the score. Both teams were now fighting for the winner; Emms made two great ‘one on one’ diving saves at the top of her D after a Salisbury attacker got past the last Bassett defender on two different occasions, whilst at the other end Kelly Lusted, Abi Iles and Vic Sammon were all unlucky not to score in the final stages of the match. Consistent solid defending by Helen Wright throughout the game earnt her joint player of the match with Emms. The score ended 1-1 and Bassett now look forward to their first home match on Saturday against Weymouth.