LADIES FOOTBALL: Trebles for Byron and Bains as Hatters hit double figures

Hatters had the perfect start as Natalie Richardson fed Erica Byron who accelerated away before shooting into the bottom corner.

Skipper Shanice Jiminez doubled the lead in the 20th minute after good work from Richardson, Byron and Rebecca Kane.

Richardson was soon on the scoresheet herself as she went round three players and hammered in from long range.

Byron swiftly had her her second of the game after 33 minutes as she took Richardson’s cross in her stride to make it 4-0.

Remii Bains then came on and netted twice in quick succession, the first a tap-in after Jiminez’s pass and the second, bending a left-footed shot into the top corner.

In the second half, Leighton’s goalkeeper, ex-Hatter Kelly Moss, made some excellent stops to save further embarrassment, but she couldn’t deny her former side for long.

Bains was on target to complete a 12 minute hat-trick, as she finished well from close range.

Kosky then added the eighth on 56 minutes, volleying into the net after Zara Carroll saw her header cleared off the line.

Carroll did find the net shortly afterwards, as she collected Richardson’s through ball to burst clear and her shot had just enough power to beat Moss.

Kane took the game into double figures in the 68th minute after Carroll played a perfect pass for her to beat the offside trap and she lifted the ball over Moss with an excellent finish.

Byron became the second player to notch a treble, confidently finishing a loose ball after Carroll had seen her shot saved.

Jiminez finished the scoring with her second in the closing stages after Rachel Carter played a long ball forward and she got there ahead of Moss to tap into the empty net.

Hatters will now travel to face Offley in the semi-final on on Sunday, February 15.

For the thoughts of manager Nikki Baker, see the News/Gazette on sale now.