SWINDON closed the gap between themselves and GoCrea8 League Conference North leaders West Wilts to five points as they thrashed hosts Cardiff Uni A 7-2 on Saturday.

It took Swindon a little over 20 minutes of the match to break the deadlock, but three quick goals put the visitors in control.

On the stroke of half-time the students capitalised on a half-chance but Swindon’s second-half nerves were quickly put to one side with another well-worked goal minutes after the restart.

Three more goals arrived as students saw several players sin-binned before they added a second late on.

Henry Cheney and Tom Lentschner each scored twice for Swindon, while Tom Gillingham, Jim Towers and captain Tom Goldsmith all netted.

It took only 12 minutes for Swindon’s ladies to get on the scoresheet in their West Clubs League Premier Division 2A clash at Salisbury, Linda Brouwers, Charlie Watson and Gemma Scrase combining to set up Lynsey Wall who fired home.

Salisbury levelled but, after fine link-up play by the Swindon midfield, Scrase got a touch on a cross and pushed it over the line.

Two minutes later Chloe Lewis drove into the D and struck home cleanly and Adriana Boullosa smashed home a fourth before half-time.

Good saves by Izzy Robinson kept Salisbury at bay in the second half as Swindon wrapped up a 4-1 triumph.