SWINDON Town Women secured their place in the first round of the FA Cup after a comprehensive 10-0 victory over Paulton Rovers Ladies at the County Ground on Saturday night.

Following the men’s narrow 2-1 success over Hartlepool United in League Two hours earlier, the women’s method of victory was far more straight forward.

The first half saw four different scorers notch five of Swindon’s goal, while the second allowed Annie Colston to reach her hat-trick and then some as Town hit 10.

Colston scored four goals, while Megan Attenborough notched a brace. Gipsy Viveash, Helena Diaz-Butcher, and Kat Bach also bagged for rampant Swindon.

The impressive result came in front of over 700 people at SN1 – potentially a record for this stage of the Women’s FA Cup third qualifying round.

Town made a dream start at the County Ground, scoring their opener inside the first two minutes. Megan Attenborough slipped a pass down the right for Diaz-Butcher, and she showed electric pace to glide around the outside before crossing for Colston to tap in from two yards out.

After a number of combinations between Diaz-Butcher and Colston had failed to result in a second goal, Town were grateful to Bach for their next successful strike. Diaz-Butcher slung a low cross in from the right and Rovers’ goalkeeper Emily Jones missed it, allowing Bach to tap in from inside the six-yard box at the far post.

Swindon’s third, fourth, and fifth goals, respectively came in quick succession before half-time. Diaz-Butcher smartly finished off a one-on-one chance before the scorer laid a goal on a plate for Colston to nab her second two minutes later.

The final goal of the half came three minutes after that – Attenborough headed in a Gipsy Viveash corner at the far post.

Lally’s side continued their goal-scoring exploits after the break and scored a sixth early on thanks to a fantastic pass by Attenborough to set Colston away for her hat-trick. The Town number nine nonchalantly rounded Jones before poking into the net.

A seventh goal found its way past Jones shortly before the hour mark after Attenborough experienced a sense of déjà vu, heading in on the line from a Viveash corner.

Speaking of repetitive, Diaz-Butcher secured her fourth assist of the night to help Colston reach four goals for the evening. After being released down the right edge of the box, Diaz-Butcher slid a perfect ball across for Colston to side-foot past Jones.

Number nine came five minutes later when Colston took a break from scoring to set up Taylor for her first of the night in the 78th minute. After holding the ball up down the right of centre, Colston poked an inch-perfect pass through to Taylor. The midfielder kept her composure really well to finish back across Jones and into the bottom right corner with her left foot.

After a really strong display from left-back, Viveash finally added her name to the scoresheet late on. After Jones gave away a penalty for a trip, Viveash thumped her penalty high into the roof of the net to help Swindon reach double figures for the night.

STFC starting XI: Emily McGrogan, Gipsy Viveash, Jen Gray, Alice Bowden, Megan Attenborough, Annie Colston, Tori Taylor, Helena Diaz-Butcher, Nat Goodright, Kat Bach, Steph Bent.

STFC substitutes: Honor Fraser, Beth Kellaway, Edie, Stilwell-Garrett, Ella Harries, Kelly Nightingale, Becky Donnelly.

PRFC starting XI: Emily Jones, Alexei Turner, Emily Osborn, Ami Cook, Eleri Webber, Enya Wilkinson, Martha Slocombe, Alex Gwyther, Hannah White, Imogen Stocker, Beth Knight.

PRFC substitutes: Abi Rakes, Adella Clarke, Alice Dwyer, Emily Quinn.

Attendance: 720

Referee: Roger Smith