Swindon Spitfires’ reserves travelled to Thatcham Town where they comfortably maintained their 100% record in the Thames Valley League with a 9-1 win that saw seven different scorers for the visitors.

Spits kicked off down the slope and quickly forced the home ‘keeper into action. However the home side, fielding a full 11 for the first time this season, quickly retaliated to bring a save out of Rachel Donovan in the Spitfires’ goal.

The visitors regained the initiative, and got the important first goal after eight minutes. Breaking quickly from a Thatcham corner Zofie Stepien threaded a ball through for Cat Baird to break free and calmly place her shot past the advancing ‘keeper.

Four minutes later Tash Blackwell put Elaine Hall away who took full advantage of a hesitant ‘keeper to double the lead. Then in the 17th minute Lyndsey Ball capitalised on a short goal kick from the luckless ‘keeper to make it 3-0.

Spitfires were rampant now and looked to score at every opportunity, and a more selfless approach should have seen them do so. As it was the fourth goal didn’t come until the 27th minute, Blackwell’s cross only being cleared as far as Naomi Bell who slotted home through a crowd of players.

Thatcham’s number 9 was the home side’s main threat, looking to get the ball out wide at every opportunity and then meet the resultant cross, and eight minutes from the break just such a move pulled a great save from Donovan to keep it 4-0.

Playing up the slope for the second period Spits expected the home side to take the game to them, but they appeared content to concentrate on defensive duties which invited the visitors on to them.

To be fair they stuck to their task well for the first 20 minutes and repelled numerous Spits attacks. However they struggled with a series of Hall corners and eventually Blackwell was able to notch the visitors fifth goal from one such. Two minutes later it was Vicky Wilkes’ turn as she nodded home another Hall corner at the back post.

Hall then made it 7-0 with a 20 yard volley in the 72nd minute, and eight minutes later she put over another corner for Stepien to become the seventh different scorer for the visitors.

Spitfires’ final goal came in the 82nd minute with a good passing move that sent Wilkes free down the right from where she cut in and shot across the ‘keeper to make it 9-0.

The final word went to the home side though; five minutes from time they finally breached Spitfires’ defence to notch a consolation.

A good all-round performance today with Spits able to utilise all their five substitutes to give everyone a good run out, and everyone played their part in the win. A difficult choice therefore for player of the match, with the votes spread over a number of players, but it was Zofie Stepien who just shaded it.

With Unity’s defeat by Stanford Spits moved up to third in the table, three points behind leaders Bracknell Town reserves but with a game in hand. Spits face Bracknell home and away in their next two league games …. interesting times ahead!