Spits spar with Cheltenham in a Cup match.
Sorry for the delay I am still in catch up mode after a hectic 2 weeks but here is the Cheltenham gallery:
Swindon Spitfires 3 Cheltenham Town Ladies 2
Swindon Spitfires progressed through to the first round proper of the FA Women’s Cup after defeating Cheltenham Town 3-2.
With the visitors kicking off Spitfires forced them to play back to their defence where good pressure saw Mel Bristow win the ball and whip over a cross as Spitfires set their stall out early doors.
Spitfires had the better of the first half procession and Sammie Smith came close with a free-kick whilst a long clearance by keeper Tamsin Kellett found Hayley Huckin who unfortunately mishit the final shot.
However Spitfires deservedly took the lead on 27 minutes when Debbie Rose played the ball over a static Cheltenham defence to allow Huckin to have a clear run on goal and calmly slot the ball past keeper Hazel Adams.
The hosts pushed hard for a second and came close before the interval when Bristow delivered only for Emma Skinner to head straight at the keeper. At the other end the closest Cheltenham came was from a defensive mix up, but the final shot fizzed harmlessly across the area and away to safety.
Cheltenham had a bit more about them early in the second period but without unduly threatening Kellett, who only had five saves to make the whole game compared to double that for Adams.
And after Laura Stallard had a shot well saved on 57 minutes Spitfires did register a second in the 66th minute when another good delivery from a corner by Smith was met by Huckin on the penalty spot and her header gave Adams no chance.
A minute later Spitfires should have made it three, Huckin broke down the left flank before crossing to the far post where Bristow could only find the bar with her shot which bounced down and away to safety before anyone in a red shirt could react.
Instead it was Cheltenham who scored next to make it 2-1 when Spitfires failed to clear from a melee in the area and Sarah Haden found space to power a shot over Kellett in the 73rd minute.
However it 
only took Spitfires three minutes to restore their two goal advantage, Huckin slotted a great ball through for Skinner to break down the right, and substitute Ria Salleh was on hand to slot the resultant cross home.
Cheltenham were given fresh hope five minutes from time when the referee awarded them a generous penalty for what looked like an innocuous challenge by Smith, which Chenise Austin took well.
But Spitfires never looked in danger of surrendering their lead, and the final score-line was not a true reflection of the game as a whole.
TEAMS
Swindon Spitfires: Tamsin Kellett; Jess Dent, Emily Sparkes, Sammie Smith, Debbie Rose; Mel Bristow (Cara Costello 74), Laura Stallard, Cara Stacey (Ria Salleh 51), Kayleigh Reeves; Emma Skinner, Hayley Huckin. Sub not used: Julia Caton.
Cheltenham Town: Hazel Adams; Liz Dawson, Katie Walker, Anna Dennis, Natalie Berry; Kirsty Dunleavy, Rhona Donaldson (Katy Adams 69), Lydia Amarquaye (Megan Lloyd 50), Chenise Austin; Sarah Haden, Charlie Griffin (Catherine Reilly 83).
Thanks to Mike Skinner for the report on the match.
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