TONBRIDGE ANGELS Ladies moved to the top of the Kent Division One with another thumping victory which saw them leading 5-0 at half-time at Tonbridge Farm.
Lauryn Underhill got the hosts off to a perfect start after two minutes, completing a well-worked move on the right with a close-range finish.
Underhill doubled the lead on 16 minutes, latching on to Maisie Gibb’s through ball and producing another calm finish.
The Angels were awarded a penalty for a pull on Megan Akehurst after 26 minutes, but Nancy Syrett saw her spot-kick just miss the top corner.
Three minutes later, however, Becky Janes found the target, and on 35 minutes she scored her second with a lob over the keeper from Flo Anastasiou’s long pass.
A second penalty was awarded in the 39th minute, this time for a foul on Gibb, and Janes fired into the roof of the net to seal her hat-trick, which gives her seven goals for the season already.
The visitors defended more deeply in the second half, but Underhill did manage to record her first career hat-trick, exchanging passes with Akehurst before slotting home.
For the fourth time in five matches the Tonbridge defence, led by stand-in captain Sharon Lyons, put in a flawless performance to pick up another clean sheet.
In what is quickly becoming a three-horse race, the erstwhile league leaders Long Lane lost at Thamesview, allowing the Angels to go three points clear at the top.
But both of Tonbridge’s rivals have a chance to make up ground next week while the Angels are without a league game.
The Ladies will host Burgess Hill Town at Tonbridge Farm for a friendly next Sunday (kick-off 2pm).
Women’s Cup: From Spurs to Addicks
Angels Ladies have again been handed another plum draw in the Isthmian Women’s Cup. After last year’s visit to Tottenham Hotspur, they have been drawn away to Charlton Athletic, who are top of the FA Women’s Premier League South Division with maximum points from seven games.
