ZOE Rushen bagged eight goals to fire Billericay Town Ladies to a remarkable 31-0 win against Rayleigh Town Ladies in the quarter finals of the Essex Cup.

Rushen led the way with a number of fine finishes at the AGP Arena.

And she was delighted to help Billericay work their way through to the final four.

“We knew Rayleigh had a high scoring game to progress through to this round so we had to be prepared despite being the favourites,” said Rushen.

“The girls had set their minds on enjoying this game away from the pressure of the league.

“It was a chance to show some individual quality as well as a good team performance, which I believe we did.

“There’s so much strength and depth in the squad now that each player is working hard on taking the opportunities they are given to show why they deserve to be in the starting 11 or in the match day squad.

“It was important that we keep to our targets and to not disrespect Rayleigh by playing in a different manner to what we did.”

Billericay did just that by producing a dominant performance which saw them 15-0 up at half-time.

And Rushen was pleased to add to her own tally with a number of fine finishes.

“I was delighted to end the game with eight goals,” said Rushen.

“I was proud of a few of my finishes and some of the other girls’ ones too.

“There really were some excellent goals, taken with the same quality that we will need in tougher games.

“Our standards didn’t drop which is pleasing for us.”

The win also continued Billericay’s fine season and Rushen is relishing her part in the success.

“The season so far has been really enjoyable,” said Rushen.

“I have loved joining a new team and taking on a new challenge.

“Playing a slightly more relaxed role in this team has allowed me to be more creative and play more attacking football.

“But our hopes between now and the end of the season are to continue in the way we have started this season and this new year.

“We want to stay as high up the league table as possible and get as far in cup competitions as we can while creating a great team environment with an amazing group of girls and management.”

Billericay, who sit second in the league standings, will now face Brentwood in the semi-finals.

And manager Kim Coster is keen to secure more success.

“It will be a very hard game against Brentwood but of course we want to go as far as we can in the competition and it would be great to win it,” said Coster.

“I won it as a player when I was at Harlow but I’ve never won it as a manager so it would be great for that to change, especially with such a special group like this.

“We got to the final a couple of years ago but lost in extra time to C&K Basildon but it would be great to go one better this time.

“However, we also want to finish as high as possible in the league as well. We have a hard run in but wherever we finish I think we will have exceeded expectations.”