HAVING lost only one Verde Recreo League Championship game this season up until a fortnight ago, Swindon’s pre-Christmas blip extended into its second week as title hopefuls Swansea secured a comfortable 7-2 win in south Wales.

Entering Saturday’s game, Swansea had conceded only eight goals in 10 games. Swindon, therefore, knew they had to keep things tight in order to stand a chance of poaching any points from their table-topping rivals.

Unfortunately, hopes of achieving that feat were quickly quashed as Swindon trailed 3-1 at the break.

Tom Wickens was the only visiting player to find the back of the net in the half as Swansea struck three times to lead comfortably.

Swindon continued to play the ball around nicely in the second half, but were ultimately limited in their chances inside the final third.

The visitors’ two-goal deficit quickly turned into four, although they did pull one back through Thomas Gillingham.

Swansea added two more to confirm three points.

Despite the loss, Swindon remain second in the division – but they are now seven points short of top side Swansea.

The league now breaks for Christmas, with action resuming on January 11 when University of Exeter B travel to Wiltshire.

Elsewhere, Swindon men’s 2nd slipped to a 6-3 defeat at home to in-form Mendip in Central Two.

Mendip had only lost once prior to the weekend, and they kept that record intact. In truth, the visitors never looked like losing their grip on the game and led 5-1 at half-time.

An improved second-half performance stemmed the visitors’ relentless pressure. Two short corners were converted by Swindon to rescue some pride, although they remain one from bottom in the league with seven points secured from 11 games.

In other results, the men’s 3rd team suffered a crushing 10-1 defeat when they travelled to City of Bath in East Central One.