C&K BASILDON Town Ladies thumped Hullbridge Sports Ladies 10-0 to move into the semi-finals of the Essex County FA Women's Cup.

The home side were overwhelming favourites to progress against Hullbridge who played four tiers below them in the Essex County Women's League, with braces from Zoe Rushen, Karissa Rodney, Amy Nash and Lily Mellors taking C&K a step closer to defending their crown from last season.

Former Basildon player Karly Hunt lined up for Sports but she was unable to prevent Basildon storming into an early advantage.

Inside the first 60 seconds, Nash’s cross was turned into her own net by Hullbridge centre half Danni Dorrington.

It looked as though that advantage had been doubled before five minutes were on the clock when Rushen turned the ball home but the goal was chalked off as Mellors’ cross had already gone out of play.

Stacey Little fired off target on more than one occasion, before Rushen steered Karen Stephanou’s low cross wide of the post.

Basildon continued to dominate possession and territory, and came close to extending their lead when Katherine Huggins curled a shot just wide of the angle of crossbar and post.

But Basildon did add a second goal after 18 minutes when Stephanou worked her way to the left touchline, and cut back to Rushen, who was fouled as she turned inside.

She got up to take the penalty and netted with ease.

C&K added a third goal a minute later when goalkeeper Sophie Blowers’ long clearance put Rodney clear through on goal, and she slipped the ball low past Michelle Bailey in the Hullbridge goal.

Nash and Mellors both went close before Nash added a fourth goal midway through the half when she collected a through ball which put her clean through on the goalkeeper, and Nash slipped the ball under Bailey.

The pressure continued, although the Sports defence held firm for the rest of the half.

Bailey denied Little early in the second-half, as the goalkeeper continued to impress but the midfielder was not to be denied.

Nash’s corner was met by Little and she headed in her first goal for Basildon since joining from West Ham.

On the hour mark, a neat move involving Little and Kerry Stimson saw Rushen get her second of the afternoon.

Rushen saw her free kick tipped onto the crossbar by Bailey. Rushen then shot just over the bar after Nash’s cross had been pushed out, as Basildon continued to create chances.

Hullbridge’s first clear cut chance of the match came 12 minutes before the end, when Sophie Blowers produced a good save to deny Hullbridge.

But Basildon made sure of the result in the final 10 minutes, with four goals.

Rodney, Nash, and two for Mellors rounded off a comfortable afternoon’s work and set up a semi-final at Colchester Town.

 

C&K Basildon: Blowers, Stimson, Stephanou (Smith), Lacey (Long), Porter, Rushen, Little, Huggins, Rodney, Mellors, Nash.