LEADERS Swindon TopCats opened the new year in fine style with a vital 3-2 away win over Chelmsford Cobras.

The team went into the game full of confidence having beaten local rivals Oxford City 11-0 just before Christmas to regain top spot in the Women's Division One from Milton Keynes.

Swindon though found Cobras, with just one loss also this season, a tough nut to crack.

In an even first period it was the home team that took the honours when top scorer Jirina Neradova pounced on a rebound to net the only goal after just four minutes while Topcats were serving the first of their nine penalties.

The second period was also tightly fought but it was Swindon who drew level when player-of-the-match Kirsty Krater swept the puck into the top corner following a good passing move involving all three first line forwards.

However, Chelmsford were back in front again within five minutes after a defensive blunder enabled Neradova plenty of time to coolly round the Swindon netminder to score and give Cobras a 2-1 second interval lead.

In the final period, Swindon's spirit and fitness seemed to give them the edge and seven minutes had elapsed when Ami Merrick was on hand to fire home from close range.

Both sides continued to play well and Topcats finally took the lead for the first and final time with less than two minutes remaining on the clock.

Lizzy Archer and Sarah-Jane Davies broke out from defence and the latter netted the loose puck after Archer's shot had been well saved by Chelmsford's player of the match Jessica Bowman.

MATCH DETAILS

TopCats scorers: Davies and A Merrick both 1+1; Krater 1+0; Janine Townsend 0+1. Period scores: 0-1; 1-1; 2-0. Shots on goal: Both had 19.

Penalty minutes: Cobras 4; TopCats 18.

Lady of Match: Kitsty Krater.