Gabriella Spillman, Tasha Fensome, Cesca Partridge and Shianne Swarres were all on the scoresheet as Luton Ladies progress to the third round of the League Cup with an impressive 5-0 victory over Hertford Town on Sunday.
Joint-bosses Myles Maddix and Fadi Mazloum made three changes to the starting lineup from last weekend’s 2-0 FA Cup victory over St Albans. Nicole Farmer started in defence in place of Tanya Blacksley, whilst Nancy Tucker started ahead of Liz Mulvaney in midfield and Spillman started up front ahead of Jess McKay.
Less than two minutes on the clock and Luton should have took the lead, a darting run on the right-hand side from Spillman saw her progress into the box and set up Amber Leighton, but she was unable to keep her shot down.
It took the Hatters five minutes to open the scoring. After the ball fell kindly for Spillman, she made no mistake, firing the ball into the back of the net, from close range.
Despite taking the lead, Luton showed no signs of slowing down and almost added a second on the next attack. Swarres cut the ball back across the box, in the direction of Partridge, who was readied for the tap in, but a Hertford defender produced a vital piece of defending, clearing the ball off the line and out for a corner.
Fiona Buttigieg’s corner caused problems in the Hertford area and she picked out Swarres, whose header produced a reflex save from the keeper.
After 25 minutes Swarres almost doubled Luton’s lead. She found herself in space about 20 yards out and fired the ball goalwards, but just as the ball appeared to be dipping in it crashed against the crossbar.
However eight minutes later Swarres got her goal. An out swinging corner from Buttigieg, was met again by the head of Swarres to make it 2-0.
With five minutes of the half to play, the Town scored their third. Partridge got onto the ball just past the halfway line. She played the ball into Leighton, who flicked it on with her head, playing Fensome through on goal and with the keeper rushing out, she expertly lobs the ball over the keeper and into the net.
A fairly quiet start to the second half was interrupted when Partridge got on the scoresheet on the hour mark. After some quick feet, she found herself one-on-one with the keeper and with the aid of a deflection, slotted the ball into the net.
Elly Wade set off on a brilliant run down the right-hand side, after flying past a defender, she fired a powerful strike at the keeper, who again made a good save, this time with her feet.
Moments later, Hertford’s shot stopper produced another fine save, this time to deny Spillman. A perfectly weighted pass from Partridge set Spillman off on a run, she took aim at the near post, but no way past the keeper, who was equal to it.
In the fourth minute of additional time, Fensome wrapped the game up with her brace. She found space in behind the defence and with the keeper off her line, she curled the ball into the net with her left foot, to wrap up a perfect performance.
Luton Ladies: Hudson, Adu, Wade, Farmer, Buttigieg, Swarres, Leighton, Tucker, Spillman, Fensome, Partridge.
Substitutes: Mulvaney, Lewis, Todd, McKay, Blacksley.
