Jess McKay bagged a brace as Luton Ladies thumped lower league Leigh Ramblers for seven in an FA Cup preliminary round rout.
Rebecca Ferris, Funmi Babalola, Dionne Manning, Leah Tomlin and Kiki Christofi also got on the scoresheet to maintain the Hatters’ 100 per cent start to the season.
Town manager Nikki Baker said: “I am pleased with the scoreline but there is still work to do off the ball. We controlled possession but the tempo was too low at times and in the league we would have got punished for not focusing. It is great to build momentum now and we now need to continue this into our league campaign.”
After a good start it was Ferris that put the Town ahead after McKay’s excellent ball in behind put it on a plate for the right wing back, for her to find the bottom corner.
Manning had a shot saved and at the other end Chinue Ayton made a good save. while young striker Babalola had two efforts well saved but she couldn’t find the net.
It took another 20 minutes before the Hatters were able to add to their lead when McKay got herself on the scoresheet. Zara Carroll played a clever little ball and McKay used her pace to get in on goal and finish well.
Just before the break, Manning scored her fifth of the season and continued her record of notching in every game so far, rebounding a shot from Ferris to give Town some breathing space at half time.
As the second half got going, Babalola eventually found the net with a superb effort from distance. Manning played her in before she took a touch and smashed it into the top corner to make it 4-0.
By now the Hatters were cruising and although playing at a lower tempo, were dominating possession. Teenage midfielder Kelsey Gibson played a superb ball into the box with pace and McKay was able to guide her header into the bottom corner for her second goal of the game.
Tomlin and Christofi were then introduced into the action and both got on the scoresheet for their first senior goals. Manning was among the assists again as she played Tomlin into the box and she finished well, high into the net. Christofi then picked up the ball on the edge of the box and trickled a shot into the bottom corner.
In the dying minutes, Manning thought she had added her second of the game to make it 8-0 but the goal was harshly ruled out for a soft foul on the halfway line.
Town were then drawn at home against Bungay Ladies FC in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup, to be played on September 22.
