SOPHIE Mitchell’s superb hat-trick ensured Swindon Spitfires made a winning start to the new South West Regional Women’s League season with a 9-3 success away at Swindon Supermarine.

Spits were ahead within 30 seconds of the kick-off as Claire Moreton’s pass allowed Jasmine Hindon to beat the stranded keeper.

Moreton was involved in Spits’ second too as her corner allowed Jasmine Payne to fire home.

Mitchell then scored the first of her treble before Marine pulled a goal back as former Spitfires player Lani Dickinson beat keeper Sian Barber.

That goal did not halt the visitors’ momentum as Mitchell swiftly netted her second goal after meeting another Moreton pass.

Laura Stallard scored Spits’ fifth of the afternoon with a 35-yard screamer, but a second for Dickinson before the break kept Marine in the game.

The visitors started brightly in the second half and a good ball from Chloe Neates allowed Moreton to make it 6-2.

Just a minute later, the lead was extended again as Mitchell struck to round off her hat-trick.

Moreton was next to score as she got her second thanks to good work from Neate, whose efforts on the day were rewarded with Spits’ final goal 15 minutes from time.

There was some consolation for Marine’s Dickinson as she completed a hat-trick of her own in the closing stages but it was much too late to deny Spitfires the win.

Meanwhile, Swindon Town Women remain without a point in Division One South West of the FA Women’s National League following a fourth straight loss at the start of the season.

Town went down 2-1 away at Maidenhead United, with Meghan Larkin on target for the visitors.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town Ladies were in action in the Wiltshire Women’s Cup and made serene progress with a 4-0 win at home to Laverstock & Ford.

Hayley Huckin put Bassett 1-0 up at the break before further efforts from Hannah Gulliver, a second for Huckin and Eloise Hayward after half-time wrapped up the win.