Swindon Ladies 1s 3 - 1 Newent

Thanks to Vicki for this week's match report:

Swindon have been imperious this season. If there was to be a slip up for the recently crowned league champions this was the fixture. Newent, 3rd place in the table, looked surprisingly confident in their navy tops as the orange army arrived. Sunshine adorned the stirring team talk by captain Adriana Boullosa and it was no surprise to see Swindon start so brightly when the action finally got underway. Newent’s defence were under immediate pressure as Swindon’s progressive play led to a goal mouth scramble. The Newent keeper sprawled. But Swindon’s dangerous forward Vicki Stokes was already putting the ball in the net. One minute played. One goal scored.

Newent responded well to their early setback, mounting a series of attacks that were routinely rebutted by Ella Caldwell, Charlie Watson, Mary Goldsmith, Angela Cooke and keeper Alexis Hogarth. They overcame this sustained period of pressure through controlled distribution of the ball across the back line. With the initial Newent storm quelled, it was to be perceived Swindon indiscipline that would be the biggest risk to another comfortable win.

Swindon overcame a number of free hits awarded against them by stealing a loose ball from Newent’s left midfield. Rachel King drove into the D although her incisive pass was inadvertently spooned into the air towards dangerous forward Vicki. With no lack of grace, the ball was beautifully taken down by Vicki and in one fluid motion smashed into the net.

The second half began with Chloe Sylvester, Lynsey Wall, Gemma Scrase and Rebecca Lightbody putting Newent under pressure with their constant running. It led to a succession of good chances for Swindon but the champions were not able to capitalise and Swindon were unable to sustain the pressure.

It would not be long before Swindon were on the countdown to their third goal. It was to come through Angela’s great run down the left, passing it on to Rach who played it into dynamo midfielder Lyno. She instinctively found Vicki, lingering on the back post, who tapped it in to complete her man of the match sealing hatrick.

With the match in hand and time waning it was Mary’s generosity which was gratefully accepted by the Newent centre forward. The loose pass seized upon and calmly put into the hitherto untroubled Swindon net.

MOM: Vicki