SWINDON Town Ladies got their new FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division campaign off to a disappointing start as they were thrashed 8-0 at home to Coventry United.

Returning to Cinder Lane in Fairford after two years at Shrivenham’s Barrington Park and with a new manager in the shape of Leonie Wade, Town would have been hoping for much more from their season’s curtain-raiser.

However, Swindon, who finished second-from-bottom last term, found themselves 2-0 down after four minutes.

Alison Hall netted the first of her four goals in the third minute before Keeley Davies doubled the advantage 60 seconds later.

Hall went on to complete her hat-trick with goals on 30 and 34 minutes to send Coventry in at the break 4-0 up.

After the interval, Hall bagged her fourth on 54 minutes before substitute Nikki Miles added the sixth just after the hour mark.

Jade Brook got in on the act in the 66th minute before she sealed the rout eight minutes from time.