Gulliver double earns derby draw

Royal Wootton Bassett Town were grateful for a brace from leading scorer Hannah Gulliver as they hung on to claim a point in a 2-2 derby draw at home against Cirencester Town.

Gulliver struck early from the penalty spot to give Bassett the lead before equalising with a free kick on the stroke of half time to take her to seven goals for the campaign.

While Gulliver is enjoying a fine individual start to her season, as a collective Bassett have fallen off the pace in South West Regional Women's Football League Division One North.

This result represented the third league in a game in a row they have been unable to win.

And with a trio of upcoming games against three sides who have all made bright starts to come - beginning with a trip to Bath City next week before a home clash with Gloucester City and away date with St Vallier, Bassett will soon have a good understanding of whether they'll be in the mix for promotion (with just the champions guaranteed to go up).

Against the Centurions Bassett took the lead inside the opening ten minutes. Kat Bach was brought down by Cirencester 'keeper Leah Haney-Wilcox and Gulliver made no mistake from the spot.

But the lead didn't last long as Jodie Bailey was allowed to turn inside and tee up Clare Hill who blasted a first time piledriver from twenty yards out into the top corner.

And the visitors eventually went in front when a corner found an unmarked Libby Messenger guided a header towards the far post which Amelia Dudding bundled over the line following some pinball within the six yard box.

Bassett therefore seemed set to go into the break a goal down. But Gulliver grabbed her second late in the half. Earning a free kick on the right wing, she dusted herself down before delivering a ball that sailed over Haney-Wilcox's head and into the net.

Ultimately neither side would be able to add to their tally following the restart.

However Cirencester appeared the most likely.

A fine Phoebe McGouran cross needed just a touch to guide it home, but fortunately for Bassett the Cirencester forwards who made their way into the box were unable to apply it.

Bassett then had a chance as Maddy Elliott initiated a break from a Cirencester corner and played a one-two with Bach after a lengthy run. Her shot proved comfortable for Haney-Wilcox though.

The visitors then struck the post as Lucy Scrannage teed up Jodie Bailey whose effort smashed the woodwork.

Dudding soon had a pair of chances, finding the side netting from an angle before shooting straight at Millie Powell when through on goal.

One final opportunity fell Bassett's way but Natalie Goodright's snap shot was kept out by Haney-Wilcox.