WOMEN'S AND GIRLS' FOOTBALL: Spits are toppled (From This Is Wiltshire)

SWINDON Spitfires lost both their unbeaten record and top spot in the South West Women’s League with a 2-1 defeat at Poole Town on Sunday.

There could be few complaints from the away side, who endured an off day in Dorset, and they were lucky not to have punished more.

Poole began the game three points behind Spitfires in third place but took the lead in the 14th minute when Spits failed to clear their lines and Julia Caton could do little to keep out the well-struck shot that went over her into the far corner.

Spitfires had their best spell of the game in the final 10 minutes of the first half when they started to play somewhere near the level of their previous games, Emma Skinner and Beth Turner combining well but each putting their respective shots wide.

But a minute before the break Spitfires did find the back of the net, Skinner sending the ball out wide again to Turner and her cross found Debbie Rose who turned her marker to fire home.

It almost got even better for Spitfires in stoppage time, Laura Ball this time supplying Turner and Rose was just inches away from meeting Turner’s cross as it zipped through the area.

The second half saw almost relentless pressure from the home side who, but for some wayward finishing, should have put the game to bed far earlier than they did.

Spitfires were able to catch the home side on the break a couple of times, their best chance of the half coming in the 58th minute when a Rose pass split the defence for Emily Sparkes to break clear, but the home keeper did well to force her wide and the chance went.

Despite some resilient defending Poole finally got their second goal in the 77th minute when a looping cross from the left was headed home at the far post.

And even with Spitfires moving to three up front they were unable to trouble the home keeper for the remainder of the game.

Swindon Supermarine took advantage of Spitfires’ slip to move two points clear at the top with a 7-0 demolition of Nailsea United. Marine have played a game more then both Poole and Spitfires.

Elsewhere, Spitfires Under 11s and Under 12s remain top of their Wiltshire League divisions, the former winning 6-2 at Bath City and the latter seeing off Derry Hill 15-0.

However, Spits Under 14s lost out 7-1 to Oxford City, while the under 16s were beaten 11-1 by Swindon Town, Hayley Shipp netting the consolation for Spitfires who had to play a player down for over half the game.

Meanwhile, the under 13s lost 5-1 to Stratton Juniors in a friendly.

Swindon Spitfires are looking for new players for their under 16s.

Any interested girl in school years 10 or 11 should contact manager Mike Skinner on 07890 063396 or get in touch via the club website - www.swindonspitfiresfc.co.uk.

JESS Graham grabbed a double to help Swindon Town Ladies Under 15s return to the top of the Berkshire County League with a 3-0 home win against Didcot Casuals Town took the lead when Graham latched onto a superb through ball and coolly slotted past the advancing Didcot goalkeeper.

Swindon held their one-goal advantage at the break but doubled their lead when Graham set up Jade Wilkinson to score from the edge of the area.

Sophie Boycott and Amy Jolliffe both went close to extending Swindon’s lead before Graham scored a superb lob over the Didcot goalkeeper to secure a 3-0 win.

Swindon Town Under 16s saw off Swindon Spitfires 11-1 with Karyn Coomes scoring five times.

The result took Town back to the top of the league with their other goals coming from Hannah Donovan (2), Brin Gallaher (2) and Hannah Atwell.