Spitfire squadron shoot down high flyers Truro.
Swindon Spitfires returned to South West Women’s League Premier Division action for the first time since 15th December, and dented title-chasing Truro City’s hopes with a 3-0 win.
With the strong wind blowing straight down the middle of the pitch Truro won the toss and elected to play with the wind at their backs and forced a series of early corners. But Spitfires dealt admirably with the threat, and the only real difficulty that keeper Tamsin Kellett faced was getting any distance on her goal kicks.
And with Spitfires quick on the counter attack they had the first real chance of the half in the 10th minute when Emma Skinner’s through-ball allowed Beth Turner a clear run on goal. Despite stumbling after a nudge from the chasing defender she still managed to get her shot away that had Truro’s Candice Britten diving low to her left to tip round the near post.
That proved to be just a shot across the bows for Truro, as Spitfires pace earned them the opening goal two minutes later. Karyn Coombs, making her debut after signing from Swindon Town, played a superbly weighted pass into the path of Ria Salleh who cut in from the left wing before firing across Britten and into the far corner.
With their noses in front it gave Spitfires the extra impetus needed to keep Truro at arm’s length with the wind becoming more of a hindrance to the Cornish side as forward passes ran away from them, whereas Spitfire got the ball down as much as possible and played their way up the park.
After the break Truro initially found playing into the wind more comfortable, with Spitfires having the linesman’s flag to thank for saving them on a couple of occasions as they broke with pace. But Spitfires weathered the storm and took a grip of the game to keep Truro pinned back
A long overdue second goal came on 75 minutes when Carla Compton caught a Truro defender in procession, which allowed Skinner to collect the loose ball and break free of the defence before slotting calmly past Britten.
And Spitfires went on to make the points safe with a third goal on 83 minutes when Britten could only parry a Salleh shot to Hannah Gulliver who returned the ball to the six yard box for Turner to finish neatly.
Whilst the strong wind meant it wasn’t the best of games Truro can have little complaint about the result with Spitfires deserving the victory to avenge their defeat in Cornwall earlier in the season
Next weekend Spitfires will be looking to complete the double over Downend Flyers who currently sit in third place, albeit having played several more games than those teams around them.
Meanwhile Spitfires’ reserves lost out 5-1 in the Wiltshire League to Ludgershall Sports, Caroline Hook netting the consolation. 
In the Oxford Girls League Spitfires’ U15s edged a seven goal thriller with Didcot Casuals. Twice Spitfires levelled the score through Dani Granato before Poppy Cottrill gave them the lead. It was then Casuals’ turn to level things up before Granato snatched victory with virtually the last kick of the game.
Spitfires’ U12s had a more comfortable time of it with a 5-0 win over Kidlington Youth ‘Harriers’. A Chloe Neate brace was supplemented with goals by Aimee Prinzi, Genevieve Bayliss and Shannon King to keep the Wiltshire side neatly tucked into second place
And in the Wiltshire Girls League Spitfires’ U13s chalked up a 7-0 win at FC Chippenham thanks to goals from Sophie Roberts (2), Gipsy Viveash (2), Georgia Brown, Tamzin Davis, and Ashleigh Warwick.
Spitfires U15s were without a league game so faced Carterton Town in a friendly and registered a 5-1 win through Katie Donovan, Helena Butcher, Elle Scott, Natalie Goodright and Lucy Goodright
Thanks to Mike Skinner for the report.
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