Women’s season preview: Different division, same goal

Having been transferred to the South West Regional Women's Football League Division One North, Royal Wootton Bassett Town find themselves in new surroundings for the 2024-25 campaign. But the goal for Adam Wood's side remains the same as last year - to secure a return to tier five of the women's football pyramid. Bassett narrowly missed out on an immediate return last season, finishing as runners-up, four points behind champions Poole Town, in Division One East of the South West Women's league. And this year Bassett will be aiming to go one better in a division that promises to provide much more local interest with six local derbies to look forward to and reduced travelling to sides in Gloucestershire and North Somerset as opposed to Dorset. It is certainly set to be a more exciting division to play in - though one that will likely be trickier for Bassett to get out of. Bassett's task is to rise to the challenge that they'll face. Bassett are one of four quality teams to be transferred across from the Eastern Division with the other three - Purton, Bath City and Stockwood Wanderers - having finished in the three places immediately below them last season. Promoted to the division are a pair of local rivals who will hope to be competitive in their first year at a higher level. Corsham Town arrive as last season's unbeaten Wiltshire County Women's League champions, while Cirencester Town lost just once on their way to being crowned Gloucestershire County Women's League champions. Bassett will also come up against a range of unfamiliar opponents in the form of Bitton, Downend Flyers, Gloucester City, Paulton Rovers, SGS Olveston United and St Vallier, who occupied the positions between third and eighth in the North Division last year. Bassett certainly possess a squad strong enough to compete. Manager Wood has seen prolific forward Libby Davies depart for Swindon Town. Though a big loss, it was always clear that Davies was destined to play at a higher level. Caily Morse is also due to feature less as she begins her university studies. In their place, Wood has recruited a pair of talented strikers. Kat Bach, signed from Cheltenham Town Reserves, has found the net on a frequent basis at this level before, while Caitlin Brooks - who arrives from FC Chippenham Youth - brings plenty of promise having been a prolific scorer at County League level. In other areas of the pitch, composed and intelligent midfielder Alice Telling brings higher level experience from her time with Swindon Town, while promising youngster Cara Somerville adds further talent. Wood has also added extra quality to the defence in the form of full back Mia Sanghara. Preseason has season Bassett go winless in four games. But all of their games have been against higher level opposition and Bassett were competitive across all four friendlies. Wood's side began their preparations for the new campaign with a narrow 1-0 defeat against top tier Welsh side Cardiff Met, conceding a late winner. Maddy Elliott was then on target as Bassett held AEK Boco - last season's Northern Division champions - to a 1-1 draw. Against tier five Frampton Rangers, goals from Telling and Hannah Gulliver had Bassett 2-0 up at the break before a much changed second half side conceded five goals without reply. Then at home against Forest Green Rovers, a Brooks goal meant the scores were level at 1-1 as the teams went into the final quarter of the match. However, a late three-goal, eight minute salvo gave Rovers a 4-1 victory. Performances have therefore been promising with Bassett generally showing they are capable of holding their own against higher level opponents. Now the task is to re-earn Bassett's place at that level and escape tier six, with their league campaign beginning with a derby trip to Purton on Sunday 8 September. First though Bassett will be aiming for victory in the Adobe Women's FA Cup in their opening competitive fixture away at Ross Juniors.