Ipswich Town Women ran riot in London this afternoon as they convincingly dispatched London Bees at The Bees Stadium, winning 6-1.
There was a first senior start for Elkie Bowyer in the middle after joining from Tottenham on loan, and a return to the side for Evie Williams after serving her suspension.
Town broke the deadlock after 22 minutes as Lucy O’Brien played a delightful through ball to Ruby Doe, who was jostling with her marker before slotting the ball past the Bees keeper.
Town hit the crossbar minutes later, as Lenna Gunning-Williams was played through, but her vicious effort rebounded off the woodwork.
Natasha Thomas made it 2-0 in the 38th minute as a free kick delivered by captain Bonnie Horwood from the edge of the area was floated in and Thomas rose highest to head the ball into the net.
Town were in cruise control in the first half, dominating and standing up to the physicality of the Bees players well.
Town came out for the second half strong, seeing much of the possession in high areas of the pitch.
The Bees got one back in the 56th minute as Potter was found in the centre of the goal unmarked following a cross, and her scuffed effort found the back of the net.
Thomas came very close to scoring Town’s third as she beat the defender for pace, but her effort trickled towards the goal line and was eventually cleared to safety.
Town did score their third in the 65th minute, as centre back Leah Mitchell was left with space on the edge of the area, and her low drive went into the back of the net for her second of the season.
A scramble in the box almost saw the Tractor Girls grab a fourth with both Gunning-Williams and Thomas having shots at goal.
Doe got her second and Town’s fourth just minutes later as some great passing play led to her getting clear in the six-yard box, striking the ball past the keeper into the far corner.
Town continued to dominate the second half, probing for a fifth.
Gunning-Williams got that fifth in the 82nd minute, taking aim from 25 yards, and the keeper was only able to stop and stare as it flew over her head.
Maria Boswell scored a screamer to make it six for Town, letting fire from 35 yards, finding the bottom right of the net.
This topped off a good performance from the Tractor Girls, who take three points with them back to Suffolk.
Town Starting XI: Soper, Barker (Boswell,75), Williams, Mitchell, Hughes, Horwood (C), Bowyer (Boughton,57), O'Brien (Robertson,57), Doe, Gunning-Williams, Thomas
Subs: Hartley, Boswell, Boughton, Robertson, Peskett
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