SALISBURY Ladies are gearing themselves up for a champagne celebration at Skew Bridge on Saturday lunchtime.

A win over Chippenham (1pm) will clinch the West Women's League Division 2A title and promotion back to the Premier Division, writes Mike Vimpany.

The city girls took an emphatic step nearer the title with a 4-0 win at Cirencester - a creditable result considering that Salisbury were depleted due to illness and injury.

Two goals inside the opening ten minutes set up the victory and relaxed any Salisbury nerves.

The first goal came after some neat work between Lily Hitchings and birthday girl Sarah Dunn, which split the Cirencester defence and allowed Tilda Hewitt to score.

The second came after Salisbury found themselves deep inside their 25, but worked the ball from one end of the pitch to the other thanks to a series of five passes that sliced through the home team and gave leading goal scorer Kerry McCollum the opportunity to double the visitors'

lead.

The home side's best, and only real chance, came halfway through the first half when they were awarded a penalty stroke, but justice was served as Salisbury's goal minder Louise Davidson made a great save down to her left.

Salisbury never really looked troubled for the remainder of the first half and despite constant pressure they were unable to add to their tally.

The second half was similar to the first, with the traffic being very much one way towards the Cirencester goal.

Claire Hobbs controlled the game from the back and when the equally influential Jenna Whittle converted a penalty corner to make it 3-0, the points were effectively assured.

Kerry McCollum later added a second to her tally to wrap up a dominant team display from Salisbury, who are now within touching distance of the title.