SWINDON Town Ladies kept hold of top spot in the South West Combination League with a 4-0 victory over University of Portsmouth.

Town had the better of the early exchanges but it was Portsmouth who came closest to scoring when Gemma Smith broke through the Town defence and flashed a shot past the post with the keeper beaten.

Swindon took the lead in the 13th minute when Chyna Collings headed in Beth Thompson’s corner before Laura McGlone found herself free on the Town left but her shot hit the side netting.

A short corner almost caught out the Portsmouth defence when McGlone drilled the ball into the goalmouth and keeper Rosie Dimery did well to keep out Collings’ header.

At the other end Sam Quinn kept the Swindon clean sheet intact with a well-timed challenge to prevent Amber Clarke from levelling the scores.

Going into the second half a goal to the good, Town made a good start to the period and the Portsmouth keeper was forced into action to keep out Collings’ header from a Thompson corner.

Pompey were quick on the break and Gemma Smith’s shot was wide of the near post, while Thompson forced visiting keeper Rosie Dinmery to rush out to clear and Laura Morgan’s strong tackle preventing Rachel Towler from getting a shot at goal.

In the 66th minute Town doubled their lead when Georgia Waters’ 30 yard free-kick crashed into the net.

Swindon got a third in the 74th minute when Ellie Maynard opened up the Portsmouth defence for Michelle Rich to score from close range. Rich then almost became provider when she found a way through the visitors’ defence to put Georgia Walters clear but, with the keeper stranded out of the goal, her chip scraped the post.

The Robins completed their convincing victory in the final minute when Dimery pushed out Sally Butterfield’s cross into the path of Georgia Walters, who calmly netted goal number four.

Town reserves’ game against Trowbridge in the Wiltshire County League was postponed.

Meanwhile, Swindon Town Ladies Under 16s beat Tilehurst Panthers 4-1 at Halcrow.

Town’s goalscorers were Karolayne Byrom (2), Jess Graham and Amy Jolliffe.