The Town Ladies suffered a home defeat in a league match for the first time in 903 days after going down 4-0 against Actonians at Sharpenhoe Road.

Managers Myles Maddix and Fadi Mazloum made three changes to the team that started in the 5-0 defeat at Cambridge United last Sunday. Sarah Hudson made her first league start of the season, replacing Nicole Melling in goal, Amber Leighton came into the side in place of Taylor O’Leary and Emily Wilson replaced the suspended Courtnay Ward-Chambers.

As ever, Tasha Fensome set the tone with some early pressure on the Actonians defence, forcing them to clear for the game’s first corner.

At the other end, Actonians had a corner of their own, but the inswinger was punched to safety by Hudson in the Luton goal.

The Town begun to ramp it up after 20 minutes played. Amber Leighton had her first attempt at goal but it was thwarted by the Actonians backline. Janaye Beaufort was next to have an effort on goal, her shot from the edge of the area was deflected goalwards and forced the goalkeeper into an excellent reaction save.

An evenly-contested first-half ended goalless and summer signing Lisa Milliken replaced Leighton at half-time.

Actonians started to add some pressure of their own in the early stages of the second-half, a long-range effort was comfortably held by Hudson before another long-range shot forced Luton’s number 1 into a great save.

On the hour, Milliken played a ball into Fensome down the left-hand side, Fensome collected the ball but scuffed her effort and the goalkeeper was able to collect.

Shianne Swarres was then inches away from her first league goal of the season, a Fiona Buttigieg corner fell to the midfielder, who saw her thunderous effort rattle the crossbar.

After failing to capitalise on their chances, the Hatters experienced a disastrous 10-minute spell. A free-kick from the halfway line was fired into the area and into the top-right corner out of the reach of Hudson, to give the visitors the lead.

Three minutes later Actonians doubled their lead after capitalising on a mix-up in the Hatters’ defence. Less than a minute after the second, the away side scored again, firing past Hudson at her near post. The, with 10 minutes left to play, Actonians added their fourth.

Next up, the Town are back in League Cup action at Barton, as they host Milton Keynes.

Town: Hudson, Smith, Swarres, Fensome, Mulvaney, Wilson, Buttigieg, Farmer, Leighton (sub Milliken 46), Beaufort, Lewis (sub Maddix 63).

Report: Owen Williams Photos: Duncan Jack