Swindon Ladies 1s loose out in 13 goal thriller

Swindon started the better side and gaining short corners and free hits in dangerous positions before a shot from Fran Bennett was saved by the keeper but Captain Vicki Stoke was there to make sure the rebound went in.

Cheltenham were quick to respond with their first run into the circle resulting in a goal as the attacker hit it high into the top left hand corner.

There were some chances at either end but as the second half drew to a close Cheltenham scored three goals in quick succession meaning they were 4-1 up at half time.

Swindon knew that they had to react quickly to still be in with a chance of the game and that they did. Vicki Stokes scored a second in the first attack of the first half. Stokes then scored again to get a hat-trick. For a while it seemed like every Swindon attack would lead to a goal. Lindsey Wall then set up Shona to score and take Swindon level with Cheltenham.

Swindon did not stop there and continued to attack. Vicki Stokes scored again getting a crucial touch in the circle for the ball to trickle over the line meaning Swindon were now incredibly in the lead.

The Cheltenham defence couldn’t cope with Stoke’s pace and she dribbled round the Cheltenham defence to score her 5th.

But just has it looked like it was going to be a good day for Swindon, Cheltenham came back Chloe Peppiatt clear off the line but unfortunately the ball went straight back to Cheltenham to score and get back into the game.

With 5 minutes to go Cheltenham scored another excellent goal with the ball going high into the top corner of the Net to take them level.
And even worse, with 2 minutes left Cheltenham were awarded a penalty corner , there first attempt being stopped but the ball found it’s way to their killer goal scorer who hit her third goal high into the top corner of the goal.

If there had been 10 more minutes to the game the score would have probably been 10-10 but unfortunately Swindon could not get a goal back in the dying minutes and lost 7-6. Unsurprisingly Vicki Stokes was Swindon’s play of the match.