ROYAL Wootton Bassett Town Ladies started life in the South West Regional Women’s Football League in dominant style at the weekend, emphatically beating Marine Academy Plymouth 5-0.
Following their 7-0 FA Cup victory over Chipping Sodbury a week earlier, Jonny House and Dave Goddard’s side again shined in the first of their 18 league fixtures this season.
Goals from Lauren Kayll, Hannah Gulliver, Laura Jefferies and Aly Lyons – as well as an own goal – wrapped up the points for Bassett.
Joint-manager Goddard was impressed most by his side’s levels of maturity when beating one of the division’s fancied teams.
He said: “It was a really mature performance. Both sides didn’t know what to expect as it was the first league game.
“But we settled into the game, and looked fairly comfortable once we went two goals ahead.
“Plymouth are a good side, they kept the ball and moved it around well at times. But we defended well and didn’t grant them any clear-cut chances.
“I don’t think we played at our best, but our grown-up performance helped us.”
Bassett are in action again this weekend as they start the defence of the Wiltshire Cup crown they won last season.
They host Laverstock & Ford at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground on Sunday, and Goddard is keen for his troops to continue their unbeaten start to their competitive campaign.
“We played Laverstock a couple of times last year. We know what they’re about and we know what they’re good at,” said Goddard.
“It will be an interesting tie, and we want to retain the trophy after winning it last year.
“We’ve got an opportunity to get minutes into players’ legs too. I’m looking forward to it.”
Elsewhere, Swindon Town Women lost 4-0 to Southampton in FA Women’s National League Division One South West.
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