SWINDON Town Ladies stretched their early season lead at the top of the FA Women’s Premier League South West Division One to nine points by cracking nine goals past their local rivals tonight.

Town notched up their seventh win in as many matches and gave their goal difference a hearty boost in the process as they put Swindon Spitfires to the sword at Shrivenham’s Barrington Park, running out thumping 9-2 winners.

Beth Westlake stole the show with a hat-trick whilst Abby Picton netted a brace, with four other Town scorers getting in on the act as the Spits were put to the sword.

Top-scorer Westlake got Town up and running with her eighth of the campaign just a few minutes in but parity was soon restored as the Spits got back on level terms through Katie Wadey.

However, it didn’t take long for the home side to regain their advantage courtesy of Sarah Uzzell before Abby Picton helped herself to a fine brace.

Not to be outdone and ensuring she stayed top of her team’s scoring charts, Westlake notched to make it 5-1 and there was still time for Alice Smith to get in on the act before the break as she netted a spectacular effort on the half-volley.

Megan Attenborough plundered Town’s seventh of the evening in the second period and her goal was quickly followed up by an effort from Ellie Maynard.

The Spits did have something to shout about as they brought things back to 8-2 via a Beth Turner goal but in a flash, Westlake bagged her third of the evening to round off the rout.

Steve Robertson’s Town remain unbeaten and have a healthy gap between themselves and second-placed Keynsham Town but the Bristol-based outfit have two matches in hand.

Conversely, Steve Turner’s Spits are still searching for their first point since promotion to the fourth tier of women’s football, having lost every one of their seven outing so far this term.

Town travel to Chichester City next Sunday whilst the Spits entertain Larkhall Athletic.