AFTER three weeks of build-up, Burton Albion Ladies cruised to a 6-0 victory over Lye Town Ladies in the First Round of the Birmingham Senior Cup.
The Brewers looked comfortable from the outset against their lower league opposition as braces for Ellie Milsom and Natasha Rothery put them in a commanding position.
First Team coach Ben Webster thought the team were professional in their performance against Lye, even in tough weather conditions.
“The girls put in a professional performance,” he said.
“It’s always one of those where the other team are a league below, you can falter to their standards a little bit especially with the pitch and the weather but I think the girls conducted themselves really well and played in a professional manner.
“We asked them to be calm and move the ball around with quality, at times they did that and I think that resulted in a good performance and us going into the next round which is pleasing.”
The visitors dominated the early stages and found the breakthrough when Fiona Lane’s cross was diverted in for an own goal.
The lead was doubled soon after when Milsom found space down the left and fired past the keeper into the bottom corner.
Milsom doubled her tally a few minutes later, rounding the goalkeeper and slotting home after Ella Spears delightful ball over the top.
The Brewers found a fourth just before the break when Rothery slotted home the from spot, after Nina Warrington was fouled in the area.
The scoring continued in the second half with Rothery grabbing her second, drilling home a loose ball in the box and Warrington adding her name to the scoresheet with a lovely deft finish past the goalkeeper.
Lye never looked to threaten as The Brewers saw the game out quite comfortably with Warrington almost grabbing another but putting the ball inches past the post.
Speaking after the game Brewers captain Laura McQuilkin believes the team can take all the positives from the victory into their League campaign.
“It’s nice to go out there an get a win,” she said. “You can see now that we’re trying to get the ball down and play it around which is good. I think scoring the six goals is always good, it gives the strikers confidence but the goals are coming from all over the pitch and we can take that into the next league game.”
The only negative for the Brewers was an injury sustained by winger Ella Spears.
Spears looked a real threat down the right throughout the game, providing an inch perfect pass to set up Milsom for the Brewers third goal.
The youngster was forced off during the second half with an ankle injury.
First team coach Steve Guest says you can see the improvement the team is making.
“We always look to get better each week,” said Guest.
“The girls are doing fantastic in training. During the games they’re improving each week and I think you can see that from the way they’re playing.”
“They look proud to play now; they’re digging in deep when they need to and when they’ve got the ball, they look like they can create goals from anywhere now which is always a good sign.”
The Brewers are set to face Coventrians Ladies in the Second Round on Sunday at Rocester FC with a 2pm kick off.