SWINDON Spitfires travelled to face Swindon Town Ladies Development in the Wiltshire County Womens & Girls League’s Open Age Division.

Spitfires’ keeper Sophie Kirby was at her best early on to deny the home side before the visitors’ Hannah Gulliver won the ball in midfield and threaded it through to Lisa Matthews who dragged her shot wide.

Spitfires were the first to break the deadlock on 16 minutes as Matthews received a through ball from Hayley Shipp and rounded the keeper before playing the ball across to Anna Higgins to slot home.

Town started to up their attacks with some fine runs from Alex Ramos and Amy Jolliffe putting the Spitfires back four under pressure.

They went close on 20 minutes as Jolliffe broke through but heroic defending from Cara Costello not only prevented a shot but also the corner.

Town’s pressure paid off on 28 minutes as the Spitfires defence seemed to lose concentration, allowing Jolliffe to sneak behind and round Kirby before knocking into an empty net.

The second half was very much the same, with both sides trying to attack. However it was Town who took the lead on 12 minutes as Hannah Attewell gambled from 30 yards and Rebecca Kench, now in goal, could only watch it fly in.

Fine defending from Lizzie Parry, Cara Costello, Victoria Parry and Georgia Coward prevented Town from adding to their lead.

Spitfires piled on the pressure in the last 20 minutes as Mya McKnight started to control midfield.

But Catia Cordeiro in Town’s goal pulled off several great saves to keep them out.

 

SPITFIRES Under 14s claimed a 5-1 success over FC Chippenham in the Under 14 Division.

The Swindon side were quick out of the blocks with the first attack seeing Tamzin Davis cut into the box and fire home a fierce shot.

Midway through the first half, Sophie Hynd collected the ball in the opposition half and, holding off the defender, put her shot away.

Still the girls pressed and Davis found herself one on one with the keeper who saved brilliantly.

The defence of Iona Kamugisha, Lucy Scrannage and Catherine Bowdidge, supported well by Freya Sullivan and Davis, dealt with quick Chippenham counterattacks until they eventually broke through to reduce the deficit.

The third Spitfires goal arrived in the second half as Lauryn Isaac picked up the ball out wide, and confidently went past three players before picking her spot.

Five minutes later Hynd won the ball in the centre and again saw another strong run end with the ball in the back of the net.

Davis had a goal ruled out for a foul on the keeper and another effort hit the post.

However, Scrannage played a pass into the box that Hynd chased down and forced a defender to put the ball into her own net.

Spitfires under 10’s travelled to Chippenham to play in their first friendly festival.

Anyone interested in playing for the under 10’s can contact Bev Maull on 07519952598 or visit the club website on swindonspitfiresfc.co.uk