SWINDON men’s first-team got their season back on track in the Verde Recreo Hockey League after a scrappy 1-0 win away at Cheltenham A in the Championship.

Following their first defeat of the season against Clifton Robinsons a week prior, Swindon travelled to Gloucestershire to take on previously unbeaten Cheltenham.

On a sodden artificial surface, the visitors were forced to withstand some early pressure from their hosts before man of the match James Young finished off from close range following tidy build-up play from Luke Cejer and Tom Goldsmith.

A flurry of cards was shown in a competitive game, but there would be no further addition to the scoreline as Swindon moved up to third in the table ahead of their home fixture against bottom side Firebrands A on Friday night.

Elsewhere, Swindon A were comfortably beaten 7-3 at home to Bristol University C in Central Two.

Swindon conceded seven goals for the second time in a row as they slipped down to ninth in the table.

Meanwhile, Swindon men B also went down on their own patch – 4-0 against City of Bath in East Central One.

The hosts conceded once as their goalkeeper was lobbed, while two of the four marks could potentially have been ruled out for being own goals.

Nathan Frost did give the home side something to cheer about, though, as he heroically cleared an effort off the line.

After another difficult result, Swindon remain bottom of the table with no points from their opening five fixtures.

Neither of Swindon’s ladies teams played last weekend, but both return to action on Saturday.

The first team will be looking to bounce back from their agonising first defeat of the season against Clifton Robinsons last time out when they take on Cheltenham 2nd in the West Clubs Women’s Hockey League Premier Divison 2A.

Meanwhile, the second team travel to Team Bath Buccaneers 4th in Whitehorse Division 1 as they bid to put their previous heavy 8-0 defeat to Corsham behind them.