Ipswich Town Women 8-0 Cheltenham Town Ladies: Match report

A minute's silence was held before the game in memory of Sheffield United player, Maddy Cusack, who passed away at the age of 27 earlier this week.

Town struggled for the opening 20 minutes to create any chances, with some good defending from Cheltenham preventing any attacks.

But Town broke the deadlock in the 27th minute as a header from a corner was cleared off the line, and a second bite at the cherry fell to Thomas, who swivelled and hit the ball low into the back of the net.

Natasha Thomas continued her goalscoring form with more goals against Cheltenham Town (Image: Ross Halls)

Thomas got her second of the game in the 38th minute, as a quick free kick caught Cheltenham unawares and Sophie Peskett was able to deliver a ball into the box for Thomas to head into the roof of the net.

Cheltenham were then gifted a golden opportunity as Leah Mitchell passed the ball straight to Poole, but her shot was turned away for a corner.

Town players celebrating after their second of the game (Image: Ross Halls)

Town continued the second half as they finished the first, and within two minutes of the restart, Lenna Gunning-Williams's pace was too much for the Cheltenham defence and she slotted the ball under the goalkeeper to make it 3-0 to Town.

Ruby Doe then scored a screamer a minute later, striking the ball from the edge of the area with her left foot, and the ball flew into the top corner.

Town's fifth came in the 71st minute as Lucy O'Brien played a brilliant through ball to Thomas, who smashed her shot in for her hat-trick.

Town players celebrating Town's fourth goal of the game (Image: Ross Halls)

Peskett made it 6-0 to town as she drove down the middle of the pitch, unchallenged, before hitting at range, finding the right side of the goal.

Town made it 7-0 five minutes towards the end, as Thomas again found the back of the net with a brilliant strike, making that her fourth of the game.

It was 8-0 to Town in the 91st minute as substitute Nia Evans found the back of an empty net.

Town sit second in the table having won five of their first six fixtures, with a goal difference of +20.

Ipswich Town Women continued their fantastic start to the season with another three points against Cheltenham Town at at AGL Arena in Felixstowe (Image: Ross Halls)

Town Starting XI: Soper, Boswell, Hughes, Horwood (C) (Evans,80), Mitchell, Thomas, Robertson, Peskett (Erin Williams,80), Doe (O'Brien,68), Gunning-Williams, Barker (Evie Williams,63)

Subs: Hartley, O'Brien, Evans, Evie Williams, Erin Williams

Attendance: 541