A dominant display from Swindon Town Women saw them book their place in the First Round Proper of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup at the expense of Paulton Rovers, in a memorable clash at SN1 in front of a record-breaking crowd.
The tie formed part of a historical double-header for the club, with the showdown following on from the men’s League Two victory earlier in the day over Hartlepool United, marking the first time both our men and women have played at The County Ground in the same day.
To add to the spectacle, an incredible 720 supporters attended the game, eclipsing the record for an Women’s FA Cup fixture at this stage two-fold.
James Lally’s side weren’t going to be overawed by the occasion either as they flew out the traps against a Paulton side two divisions below them in the pyramid.
With just two minutes on the clock they found themselves in front, as Helena Diaz-Butcher cut inside from the right and found the prolific Annie Colston who tapped home from close-range.
Six minutes later it could have been two, as Diaz-Butcher produced some more magic to cross into the box, only for Rovers stopper Emily Jones to save well from Kat Bach.
Paulton responded with their first chance of the game shortly after, as Emily McGrogan was forced to save from Beth Knight after good play down the left from the visitors, but just sixty seconds later Town were straight back down the other end.
The energetic Diaz-Butcher again causing problems down the right, and her cross found Colston who stung the fingertips of Jones once again.
The Paulton keeper was needed again two minutes later, as Megan Attenborough raced onto a through-ball from Diaz-Butcher, but she collected easily on this occasion.
The game calmed for a few minutes giving the bumper crowd the chance to draw breath, and on 20-minutes, Town doubled their lead.
The visitor’s failed to clear their lines and Kat Bach reacted quickly to bundle a low cross in from close-range with Jones and two defenders beaten.
On 22-minutes, Paulton’s Beth Knight looked to reduce the arrears as she skipped inside and hit a powerful left-footed strike at goal, but it was easily saved by McGrogan.
As we reached the half hour mark, Town were forced to keep their wits about them again and defend well as Paulton looked to capitalise on their brief spell of possession, but fine defending from Steph Bent prevented the visitors opening their account.
James Lally’s side weren’t deterred though and added a third on 34-minutes, as Attenborough turned provider for Diaz-Butcher to race clear of the Paulton defence and smash the ball into the top corner.
Three became four two minutes later as Attenborough and Diaz-Butcher combined once again, but this time to tee up top scorer Annie Colston to score her second of the evening.
Town weren’t finished yet as they notched a fifth on 39-minutes, pretty much putting the game beyond Rovers, as the impressive Attenborough nodded home from a Gypsy Viveash corner.
A healthy five goal lead for Town at the interval with fans calling for more of the same in the second period.
Full credit to Paulton as the second forty-five got underway, as the visiting Somerset side started strongly and had Town on the back foot for the opening ten minutes.
A powerful Alex Gwyther strike needed a deflection to take it wide of Emily McGrogan’s post, but Town proved their prowess once again by extending their lead further on 52-minutes, with the relentless Annie Colston grabbing yet another hat-trick.
Megan Attenborough again involved in the build-up with a pass that sliced open the Rovers defence, and the forward did the rest.
Six minutes later onlookers were treated to another goal as they continued to flow for the hosts.
Gypsy Viveash swung in a dangerous corner from the right and there was Attenborough to convert her second of the tie to make it seven.
Lally made his first sub of the evening as Kelly Nightingale came on to replace Jen Gray, and his side weren’t finished adding to the scoresheet.
We hit the 66-minute mark and Megan Attenborough’s evening was up as she was replaced with Beth Kelloway, but a performance to be proud of for the midfielder.
Just past the 70-minute mark, Town made it eight, with the devastating combination of Diaz-Butcher and Colston causing more issues for Rovers as the latter notched her fourth and Swindon’s eighth.
Seven minutes on and another one went in, as Colston turned provider this time with great work to shake off her marker in the box before playing a perfectly weighted ball across the area for Tori Taylor to slide the ball into the bottom right-hand corner.
Shortly after, Paulton threatened with a long-range free-kick that sailed wide of the mark, before double figures were reach with two minutes left on the clock.
It arrived from the penalty spot after a foul inside the area by Rovers keeper Jones, and Viveash stepped up confidently to smash the ball past the helpless stopper to make it ten for the evening.
A fantastic result and occasion for Swindon Town Women, who await to see who they draw next in the First Round Proper.
MATCH INFORMATION:
Swindon Town Line-up:
1. Emily McGrogan (GK) – 23. Steph Bent (2. Honor Fraser 71mins), 3. Gipsy Viveash, 14. Nat Goodright, 5. Jen Gray (18. Kelly Nightingale 58mins), 6. Alice Bowden ©, 11. Helena Diaz-Butcher, 8. Megan Attenborough (4. Beth Kelloway 66mins), 9. Annie Colston, 10. Tori Taylor, 17. Kat Bach.
Subs not used: 15. Ella Harries, 12. Edie Stillwell-Garrett, 21. Becky Donnelly.
Scorers: Colston 2,36,52,71 Bach 20, Diaz-Butcher 34, Attenborough 39,58, Taylor 77, Viveash 88
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Paulton Rovers Line-up:
1. Emily Jones (GK) © - 2. Alexei Turner, 4. Emily Osborn, 7. Hannah White, 9. Enya Wilkinson (12. Alice Dwyer 67mins), 6. Ami Cook, 20. Beth Knight, 8. Eleri Webber, 18. Imogen Stocker, 14. Alex Gwyther (3. Abi Rakes 82mins), 11. Martha Slocombe (10. Adella Clarke 73mins).
Subs not used: 21. Emily Quinn (GK).
Scorers: None
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Referee: Roger Smith
Assistant Referees: Colin Nunn & Ted Smith
Attendance: 720
