SWINDON failed to become the first team to defeat Cardiff & Met A this season when losing to the runaway league leaders 4-2 in the Welsh capital at the weekend.

The club’s impressive Verde Recreo Hockey League Championship campaign was temporarily halted in Cardiff following a recent draw at Truro and a home win over West Wiltshire.

Missing Jim Towers and Henry Cheney, Swindon were up against it before the game had even started.

The first half saw the visitors placed onto the back foot as veteran goalkeeper Alan Gough was forced into making a string of early saves.

Cardiff broke the deadlock midway through the first half when scoring from a short corner.

The goal prompted a Swindon response, however, the Wiltshire side missed two key opportunities to level the contest before half-time.

An early second-half marker for Cardiff firmly put the home side in control of the game, however, Swindon struck back against the run of play from a short corner as Tom Wickens slotted home.

Glimmers of hope were soon dashed for Swindon, though, as Cardiff struck their third and fourth goals with ease.

Phil Scarisbrick’s late goal could only act as consolation as Swindon left Cardiff empty-handed.

Cardiff remain top of the Championship, with Swindon sitting in fourth on 12 points from eight games.

Swindon Ladies, meanwhile, continued their impressive run of form away from home when earning a draw against Premier Division 2A leaders Newent.

The Gloucestershire outfit had lost only one of their opening six games, however, this didn’t stop Swindon from securing a hard-fought draw.

Swindon made the perfect start with only three minutes played when Ella Caldwell fed the ball to Adriana Boullosa, who drew the goalkeeper from her line to allow Lynsey Wall to score from close range.

The game’s fast nature continued, however, the hosts found their feet and soon started to test Swindon stopper Lexi Hogarth, who was forced into a number of saves.

Newent’s pressure eventually told as Swindon conceded on 29 minutes with a well-taken drive from distance which evaded everyone.

A number of umpiring decisions reduced Swindon to 10 players multiple times, however, the visitors remained level throughout to confirm a draw.

Defender Mary Goldsmith had to depart the field early, though, after taking a ball to her face.

The result leaves Swindon in sixth with eight points from six games, while Newent lost top spot to Redland.