SWINDON men clinched promotion to the Verde Recreo League top flight with victory at home to closest rivals Gloucester City.

The points gave second-placed Swindon an unassailable gap in the final promotion place with two games to go.

The first half was a cagey affair, but once the first ten minutes were over the hosts started to dominate.

Despite being on top and creating a number of good opportunities, it was Gloucester that scored from a short corner to lead at the break.

Swindon got back into the game from a Chris Parson’s drive that was deflected into the top corner.

The hosts then pushed on and made it 2-1 with a goal from Phil Scarisbrick.

Swindon continued to battle hard, and a third came as Aidan Bramwell dribbled in on the left and a good team move saw another goal for Scarisbrick.

The defence remained firm as Jim Towers and Jonathan Griffiths made excellent stops to prevent Gloucester recovering.

With a few minutes to go Swindon gave up a goal but by then the game was safe and they looked more likely to extend their lead than concede an equaliser.

A double-header saw Swindon A draw 3-3 at home to West Wilts A on Saturday, as Seb Sweeting, Daryl Carpenter and Tom Sewell scored.

The following day there was a four-timer for Phil and two each for Carpenter and Sweeting in an 8-0 triumph over Weston-super-Mare.

The 3rds suffered 15-0 and 10-0 losses respectively to Team Bath Buccaners E and F teams.

Meanwhile, stand-in goalkeeper Linda Brouwers turned in a match-winning display for the ladies 1sts in a 4-1 win over Yate.

Despite missing a number of players, Yate gave the league champions too much respect and allowed them to attack at will.

Back in form, Lynsey Wall was first to find the backboard after a well-rehearsed short corner provided by Angela Cooker.

Wall hunted for her second which also came from a short won by Emily Best’s excellent composure in the D. Adriana Boullosa’s strike from the right found Wall on the spot to deflect the ball between the keeper’s legs.

After the break Victoria Stokes got in on the act. Her great drive into the D won a short corner, and she then got on the end of a far-post shot and scrambled the ball over the line.

Rachel King completed the scoring amid late Yate pressure, which eventually resulted in a consolation.

Elsewhere, the ladies’ 2nds overcame Chippenham 3rds 3-1 as Faith, Hope Stevenson and Chloe Silvester hit the backboard.