SHANKLIN - 0
SWINDON TOWN - 1
THE Town Ladies visited the Isle of Wight to play Shanklin in the South West Combination and won by a goal to nil.
The Town kick off and had the better of the opening exchanges but the first chance fell to Shanklin. Naomi Cooper swung a corner into the Town’s goalmouth but Sarah Wright’s header flew just over the bar. As the Town began to take control Chyna Collings picked out Mel Farrow whose shot was saved comfortably by the Shanklin keeper Georgia Dye. The Islanders were looking dangerous from corners and Amy Baker was well place to scramble the ball off the Town’s goaline from Naomi Coopers in swinging corner kick.
In the 19th minute the Town took the lead. A foul on Georgia Walters resulted in a free kick and the player got up and found the Shanklin net from 35 yards out. Shanklin, with the advantage of the wind, were quick on the break and Nicola Briggs broke away but her shot was wide of the target. Mel Farrow set Kelly Nightingale clear on the Town’s left and only a brave save from Georgia Dye in the home goal prevented the midfielder from increasing the Town’s lead.
Mel Farrow was again a provider when she found Beth Thompson whose shot was saved at the near post. The Town were having the better of the play but were unable to open up the Shanklin defence, Georgia Walter’s shot from just outside the Shanklin penalty area that sent the keeper scrambling across her goal as the ball just missed the far post.
The Town open the second half strongly and the home keeper Georgia Dye was soon in action saving from Mel Farrow. Ellie Maynard crossed in from the Town’s left to find Georgia Walters whose shot was too high. A Beth Thompson shot looked destined for the net but Kim Arnold hooked the ball over the home bar and out for a corner The Town were camped the Shanklin half but central backs Shannon Kilcullen and Sophie Jackson were keeping the Town forwards at bay.
With time running out the Islanders threw everything forward and it was the Town’s centre backs, Michelle Rich and Laura Morgan who were pressed into sound action. A good three points to get back into winning ways.
The Town Reserves lost by a goal to nil against Chippenham in the Wiltshire County League.
