Royal Wootton Bassett Town Ladies maintained their perfect start to the South West Women's Football League Eastern Division campaign with a fine 4-2 victory against fellow promoted side Almondsbury.
The teams who finished second and third in the Gloucestershire County Women's League Division One last season went into the game occupying the top positions in their new surroundings, having both enjoyed unbeaten starts.
Something therefore had to give, and it was Bassett who came out on top in the latest in an entertaining series of games between the teams.
Becky Gammon's side were forced to come from behind as they conceded an early goal when Abby Rose found the net after good set-up play from Georgia Adams.
The deficit could have been greater too as Adams found the inside of the post.
Fortunate to only be a goal down, Bassett got back on level terms, taking advantage of a defensive lapse, which led to Laura Gammon toe poking home.
Outstanding defensive play then saw Bassett clear a Rhianne Oakley header off the line after the visitors' playmaker connected with Samantha Kodola's corner.
At the other end, Almondsbury could count themselves lucky as a free kick crashed off the crossbar.
With the scores level at the break, the contest was intriguingly poised.
However, Bassett struck decisively just before the hour. A good passing move saw the ball worked up to Emma Sykes, and she slipped in a through ball for Gammon, which she tucked into the bottom corner. The hosts then made it 3-1 with twenty minutes remaining. The result of another well worked move, Michelle Rich burst forward from the centre of midfielder and squared to Sykes on the edge of the area, who finished well.
An unfortunate headed own goal following a Laura Jefferies cross then put the result beyond doubt, meaning Faye Gilbert's late strike for Almondsbury was merely a consolation goal.
The result leaves Bassett tied at the top with Portishead Town, both teams having four wins from their opening four games, with the Somerset outfit currently sitting in first place by virtue of their ever so slightly superior goal difference.
Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 8th October 2017 at 17:28
