Ladies Hit Five Against BrightonEmphatic win keeps Spence's side in Spring Series hunt.Everton Ladies hit five past Brighton and Hove Albion at the Select Security Stadium to keep pace with WSL Spring Series leaders Durham.
A Simone Magill penalty, a fine free-kick from Dan Turner and Claudia Walker’s composed finish saw Andy Spence’s side race into a 3-0 lead inside half an hour.
Turner added her second of the afternoon shortly after the break, before Georgia Brougham completed the scoring with a powerful late header.
The result, combined with Durham’s 3-0 win over London Bees, leaves Everton trailing the leaders by three points but boasting a game in hand. The Blues Girls welcome Durham to the Select Security Stadium next Saturday in what could prove a decisive clash, before completing their Spring Series campaign with another home game against Watford and a final-day trip to London Bees.
Everton started on the front foot and were handed the chance to take a deserved lead when Gabby George had her shirt pulled in the box on 13 minutes. Referee Daniel Issawi showed little hesitation in pointing to the spot and Magill, who this week signed a new contract with the Blues to May 2018, made no mistake.
The impressive Turner then bent a free-kick past former Arsenal goalkeeper Emma Byrne to extend the lead five minutes later, before George found Walker in the box on 23 minutes and the striker calmly steered the ball home with her left foot.
Faye Bryson, making her first start of the Spring Series, thumped an effort against the post before the end of the half as Spence’s side continued to dominate.
And their extra quality showed again on 49 minutes when Turner fired past Byrne from just inside the box, moments after Magill had seen a close-range effort well saved after more good work from Walker.
Walker tried her luck from 35 yards on 54 minutes, forcing Byrne into a fingertip stop, before Everton hit the woodwork for a second time, George’s long-range attempt skimming off the top of the crossbar.
A double change from Spence saw Michelle Hinnigan and Lauren Davies come on for Walker and full debutant Olivia Chance but it was another substitute, Emily Hollinshead who caused Brighton no end of problems with her direct running.
On for Magill, it was her charge into the box that led to a Davies unleashing a thunderous effort on 85 minutes that Byrne could only palm wide.
And from Turner’s resulting corner, Brougham climbed highest to add further gloss to the scoreline with a thumping header.
Megan Finnigan may have added another deep into injury-time but, after turning quickly inside the box, Byrne was well-placed to save the midfielder’s shot.
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