ROSS Juniors Women delivered a scintillating attacking performance on Sunday as they swept aside Ludlow Town 8–1 at the Sports Centre in the Mid West Counties League.

From the first whistle, Ross were sharp and full of purpose, immediately taking control of the match. Coach Carl had urged his side to start fast, and they did exactly that.

After just seven minutes, debutant Lucy Minikin combined neatly with Lily Irving, who cut inside before unleashing a superb strike into the top corner to give Ross an early lead.

Ludlow tried to find a foothold in the game, enjoying some possession and forcing Shannon Parton and Meg Boardman to defend solidly down the wings, but Ross quickly reasserted their dominance.

On 16 minutes, Macy Walker won a free kick on the edge of the area and Hollie Mace stepped up to curl a brilliant effort into the top corner for 2 to 0. Ross’s pressing and hunger for second balls continued to cause problems for the visitors, and it was soon 3 to 0 when Boardman’s delivery from a set piece bounced loose in the box and Eva Flitney reacted quickest to prod the ball home.

By now the home side were in full flow, attacking with confidence and precision. Ten minutes later, a clever short corner routine saw Boardman play in Millie Malsom, who beat her full-back and crossed to the far post, where Flitney was on hand again to score her second of the afternoon.

Ross were rampant, and two minutes later Mace produced the goal of the game with a thunderous long-range free kick that rocketed into the roof of the net for 5 to 0. Ludlow managed to pull one back with a well-taken lob before half-time, but the result was never in doubt.

Ross came out firing again after the break and continued to dictate the tempo. Walker rattled the crossbar with a fierce strike and Malsom was denied by the woodwork moments later, before Darcy Baker headed narrowly wide from the resulting corner.

Their persistence was rewarded on 55 minutes when a dangerous cross from Lauren Creed forced a Ludlow defender to turn the ball into her own net, making it 6 to 1. Just three minutes later, Flitney completed her hat-trick in style as her curling cross evaded everyone, including the goalkeeper, to nestle in the far corner.

Ross remained relentless, showing the same intensity that had defined their first-half dominance. The home side’s eighth and final goal arrived ten minutes from time when Scarlett Wood was bundled over in the box, allowing Mace to step up and calmly slot home her penalty to complete her own hat-trick and cap off a fine individual and team performance.

After the match, coach Carl praised the side’s focus and desire: “We were ruthless today and showed real intent to get on the front foot and cause their defence problems. The togetherness in this team really stood out, and I’d like to thank the girls who stepped in to help, as well as those who played out of position for the good of the team.”

Assistant coaches Lee and Derek echoed the sentiment, describing the display as “a very accomplished, controlled performance from start to finish.”