SWINDON Spitfires suffered their first defeat in six matches as they lost 3-2 to Cleeve Town in South West Regional Eastern Division One.

A much-improved side since Spitfires last met them, Cleeve took the lead after two minutes.

Spitfires in turn pushed forward and despite good possession, could not break down the defence.

New signing April Polden, pictured below, came close on the 16th minute but the goalkeeper pulled off a good stop.

Polden again went close on 37 minutes but once more was thwarted by the Cleeve stopper.

Spitfires equalised two minutes before the interval when Polden's well-timed pass allowed Mel Bristow to poke the ball into the net.

In the second half, Spitfires came out strongly but it was Cleeve who scored next in the 59th minute, with a long range shot beating the unsighted goalkeeper Rachel Eley.

The match took a controversial turn in the 80th minute as Polden, pictured below, was pulled down in the penalty area, but the referee did not award the spot kick.

It was not long after that Polden levelled the scores as a superb solo run and finish saw her bag a debut goal.

Cleeve restored their lead with the winner two minutes later after Spitfires failed to clear.

Spitfires’ next game is away to Bishop’s Lydeard.

In the Oxford Girls’ League Under 11s Division, leaders Swindon Spitfires hosted second placed Oxford City with both teams having 100 per cent records to defend.

Spitfires dominated the opening minutes before a quick break by Oxford City saw them hit the post.

The rest of the half was full of endeavour and good football from both teams, with Spitfires’ defenders Amy Davies and Jorjah Skinner adopting a no-nonsense approach in the windy conditions.

The deadlock was broken midway through the first half when Spitfires’ player of the match, Daniella Granato, drove a crisp shot past the keeper from outside the area.

The second half saw Spitfires kicking into the wind and they were given an early opportunity to extend the lead when Amy Connaghan was brought down for a penalty.

Granato stepped up, only to see her penalty superbly saved by the Oxford keeper, who then saved the follow-up to applause from all round.

Shortly after the crucial second goal came for Spitfires as Karolayne Byrom whipped in a cross which Granato drove home.

Oxford City then started to use the wind to their advantage as they started to force Spitfires deeper into defence.

But a quick reshuffle saw the Spitfires wake up and in the last 10 minutes they scored three goals.

Amy Connaghan and Karolyne Byrom both netted, while Granato completed her hat-trick with a fizzing strike.

An Oxford player then scored a terrific 25-yard free kick but it proved only a consolation as the game ended 5-1.

Meanwhile, Spitfires Under 12s moved to within a point of leaders Swindon Town with a 6-0 win over Carterton, also in the Oxford League.

The visitors made Spits work hard for their 2-0 half time lead, and were unlucky not to score themselves when a goal-line clearance denied them.

However, with the wind at their backs, Spitfires were able to score four second half goals to keep their unbeaten record going.

In the Wiltshire Girls’ League, Spitfires’ Under 11s also maintained their 100 per cent record with a 3-1 win over Malmesbury.

Goals from Charley Reynolds and Molly Melville made it 2-0 at the break, but in the second half the visitors reduced the deficit.

A second goal late on from Reynolds finally made the three points safe.

Elsewhere, Spitfires’ reserves entertained Cirencester Town’s reserves in a friendly that ended 2-2.

A slip up at the back gifted Cirencester the lead in the sixth minute but Spitfires pulled level through Tash Blackwell after 32 minutes.

The host then took the lead in the 68th minute thanks to Cat Baird but were pegged back 10 minutes from time from the penalty spot.