Swindon Town Women rounded off pre-season with a comprehensive 6-1 victory against Northampton Town Women at Foundation Park on Sunday.
Northampton Town Women opened the scoreboard as Alex Dicks picked up a loose pass from Swindon’s defence and slotted it into the bottom corner of the goal.
Just before the whistle blew for half-time, Town equalised through Annie Colston who volleyed the ball into the back of the net, after an amazing run down the right wing by Helena Diaz-Butcher which paid off in an accurate cross.
Under ten minutes into the second half, Ellie Strippel gained possession of the ball, weaved it past the Northampton defence and shot into the top right corner; putting Swindon ahead.
Strippel’s goal caused a waterfall effect as a minute later, Colston scored her from the edge of the box with a thunderstrike for her second goal of the game.
Five minutes apart The Robins scored their fourth and fifth from Meg Jarvis and, captain, Georgia Clifford. Jarvis also scored the final goal of the game as she powered the shot passed, Northampton goalkeeper, Mayfield.
The first half of the game was slow to come to life but the second half came with a flurry of goals, with the score showing the dominance of Swindon Women.
Annie Colston, who was last year’s top goal scorer said post-game: “I’m happy with two goals, I would have been happy with one, but two is an added bonus.
“I feel like I took them both well, felt like I was more involved in the game today and just overall happy. Buzzing for the girls, great wins for us.”
Goal-scorer, Ellie Strippel also commented on getting a goal and looking forward to next week: “It’s about time!
"We’re off to a good start now so hopefully with the first league game next week we can take it into that game.
“I feel like we are in a really good place as a team and coaching staff all together.”
Manager Mike Cook thanked the opposition for travelling:
“They’ve put a lot of effort in Northampton; in coming down and playing us, so we’re really grateful for them showing up as well at short notice.
He also expressed his happiness with the way the team played: “To go one-nil down and not panic, that was good and there were a couple of pleasing signs with a bit of resilience.”
“In the second half was a little bit of quality at the right time and you get six goals.”
Taking this progression on board, Swindon Town Women now look forward to their first league game of the National League season on Sunday 20th August at Foundation Park against Abingdon United, with kick-off at 2pm.
