Wimborne Wayfarers 2 - 1 Wootton Bassett

Wootton Bassett travelled away to Wimborne in Dorset on Saturday to play Wimborne Wayfarers, a team who were just one point ahead of them in the East Division League table. Bassett got off to a great start with both of their wingers Katy Cox and Bex Fortnam making strong runs to penetrate the Wimborne defence. Emma Collison had an early chance on goal for Bassett after a great through ball from joint player of the match Vic Sammon fell perfectly into her stride, however the home side’s keeper made a diving save to keep the score deadlocked. The away side had some excellent passages of play throughout the first half, with Becky Thomas, Vic Sammon, Tegan Buchanan and Helen Wright all contributing hugely to the team’s performance. Bassett finally got the opening goal through Rebekah Taylor ten minutes before half time when she reacted quickly to a short corner strike from Abi Turner which rebounded off the keeper’s pads into her path. It didn’t all go Bassett’s way in the first half though, Wimborne had many quick attacking breaks and pressured Bassett’s set plays well at all times. Just before half time a Bassett defensive error created a two-on-one chance for the home side against Meg Emms in goal which they converted to make the score 1-1 going into the second half.

Wimborne came out fighting in the second half, spurred on by their goal just before half time, but the Bassett defence held strong, especially joint player of the match Becky Parkhurst who made some excellent tackles. The majority of play by both teams in the second half was carried out in the middle of the pitch, with neither team managing to break through the last line of defence. Collison was unlucky not to get the lead for Bassett mid way through the half when her reverse stick strike fired just wide of the far post after beating the keeper. Cox and Turner also had chances on goal but the keeper made some great saves to keep her side in with a chance of getting points from the game. Not long from the end of the match Wimborne were awarded a short corner, the first shot hit and injured an oncoming defender, but the umpires allowed play to continue even though she was in the line of fire, in all the commotion Bassett lost concentration and let in the winning goal. Bassett fought hard in the remaining minutes but were unable to gain the equaliser. It was a disappointing end to a generally good team performance from the Bassett side.