SWINDON Town Ladies manager Steve Robertson said his side showed a mental edge this season after watching them lift the FA Women’s Premier League South West Division One title.

A Beth Westlake goal gave the hosts a narrow advantage over visitors Shanklin in the first half but after the break the girls showed their mettle.

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Abby Picton (centre) finds the net against Shanklin

Westlake got her second before Meg Vella netted twice and Abby Picton netted a second-half hat-trick.

Sarah Uzzell got the games other goal as Town completed an 8-0 rout and Robertson says they should all be proud of their achievement this season.

“We were a bit nervous coming in at half time only being a goal up, albeit we were in control for most of the game,” he said.

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Beth Westlake toasts Town Ladies' success

“I think the girls conducted themselves brilliantly given the amount of pressure they were under and considering what happened last year and being so close.

“It was painful for a few of them but it made them a bit stronger in all and it gave us another year to work with them.

“We kept the main core of the group going forward and I think that is important and they took that into this year knowing they had a year behind them and that they could achieve that if they wanted to.

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Town Ladies celebrate their 8-0 win to secure the league title

“They have shown the mental strength to come back this year and do it the way they have done it, to sign off with an 8-0 win is fantastic.

“I couldn’t ask for a better way to do it.

“Credit to the girls and credit to the club as well. I think they have represented Swindon Town Ladies brilliantly over the last two years.”

Victory sees Town promoted to the southern Division - the third tier of women’s football in England – and Robertson hopes that will bring more attention to the Shrivenham-based outfit.

“It is massive for the club,” he added. “Hopefully that will draw in a few more people to come and have a look at us, you never know one day maybe the main club will come and have a look at us as well.

“They are all dreams. The fact that they got promoted and put themselves in a good position is brilliant.

“Hopefully the off-field stuff will improve and it is just a case of moving in the right direction.

“We are fully aware of what the task is next year and it is not an easy one but we are lucky enough to be given the chance to go and have a go at it."