Spitfires made the best possible start to the league season with a fine win at Reading Ladies Reserves. The visitors started brightly and went ahead in the sixth minute when the lively Clarissa Rebbeck found Tash Blackwell wide on the edge of the area whose cross-come-shot deceived the home 'keeper and sailed into the far top corner.

Spits looked comfortable at the back, with Helen Tidy sweeping to good effect and fullbacks Michelle Maull and Emma Blackwell strong in their tackles, and were a constant threat going forwards. Unfortunately a nasty injury to Kayleigh Reeves meant an early retirement but the lively Cat Baird was a more than adequate replacement. She and Gazza worked hard in the centre of midfield, with Pippa Chick and Rebbeck's pace down the wings keeping the home defence busy.

A foul on Chick 20 yards out gave Elaine Hall an ideal dead-ball opportunity which she duly despatched into the far corner to double Spits advantage after 26 minutes, and two minutes later Vicky Wilkes broke free to calmly lob the 'keeper to make it 3-0 at the break.

The home side emerged more resolute for the second period and were given a glimmer of hope in the 63rd minute when Spits failed to clear their lines and left 'keeper Rachel Donovan exposed in a one-on-one situation.

At the other end Cat Bell put in some good work down the left wing and Lyndsey Ball combined well with Wilkes to create further chances for the visitors. Spits were denied two penalty claims, one for hand ball and the other when Baird rode a late challenge rather than going to ground, before Wilkes restored the three goal advantage in the 71st minute when she dinked past the defence and rounded the 'keeper.

Fantastic effort from all the players today and they reaped just reward - well done!