SWINDON travelled to Bath on Saturday to take on an improving Bath Buccaneers side and left nursing a 5-2 defeat.

Swindon ventured out of the blocks slowly in comparison to Bath, conceding an early short corner in the second minute that resulted in a bullet-like flick whistling inside Alan Gough’s right post.

Swindon refused to take this early set-back as the pattern for the game and struck back through their own short-corner, neatly finished by Jonny Ashby from two yards.

The visitors were the first to capitalise on the open spaces after the equaliser and a well-worked move from Tom Wickens resulted in a short corner and a goal for Tom Lentschner.

Bath were far from done and through a quick break down the left channel, a Buccs forward was able to leave several Swindon defenders and the keeper on the floor to score a skilful individual goal.

The second half saw Bath change their game plan to a much higher press, pinning the Swindon midfield and defenders deep into their own half. And with no real outlet high up the pitch, the home team squeezed the life out of the game firing in three quick goals.

  • SWINDON’s ladies travelled to a Cheltenham side who had yet to earn a point this season but continued to underperform and came away with a 2-2 draw.

Swindon began slowly and allowed their hosts the first opportunity to score from a debated short corner, as Swindon appealed unsuccessfully for an obstruction at the top of the D.

Falling behind so early on knocked Swindon’s confidence and the rest of the half deteriorated into a scrappy affair.

Becky Clark gave Swindon a lifeline when she won a short corner which Linda Brouwers slotted passed the keeper.

After a stern half time talk from player-manager Kerry Baker, Swindon came out strongly and finally tested the Cheltenham defence with Kath Fry and Hannah Golding causing all sorts of problems.

The visitors eventually took advantage of their position and pressure with a training ground switch of play from left to right freeing Gemma Scrase to drive into the D.

With only the keeper to beat, Scrase made no mistake and smashed it into the top corner.

This riled Cheltenham and they caught Swindon straight from the restart, with a strike from the top of the D getting a cruel deflection off Claire Sage and beating keeper Sarah Anstey.

  • UNDER the floodlights on Saturday evening Swindon B comfortably beat Bath Buccs I 5-0.

After 10 minutes Andy Fraser slotted a short corner between goalkeeper and post to take the lead.

This instantly settled Swindon and they scored straight from the restart with Steve Williams following up a rebound.

The third goal soon came following a break down the right and some strong work from Fraser in the D saw Thomas Roblin get on the scoresheet.

The fourth goals came following a hard ball into the D from Alex Hynes to Roblin who slipped it to Ray to tap in.

The fifth goal by Matt Bunce came courtesy of a deflection off a Bath foot that chipped the ball over the keeper.