The Golden Girls ran riot in the second half of a wet and windy night at Grosvenor Vale against Crawley Wasps, completing a 6-0 victory capped by a four-goal performance from captain Helen Ward.

While the final score reflected a strong display after the break, it took the Hornets some time to get going, with chances few and far between in the first period despite Damon Lathrope’s side dominating possession.

The Head Coach felt his players were slow off the mark, and praised the opposition for their defensive solidity.

“We were a little bit slow to get going,” Lathrope began. “They were very spirited while it was goalless. It gives them something to really cling on to, and they worked hard, so fair play to Crawley because it was a tough night for them.

“We knew we had a little bit more quality in us than I think we showed in the first half, but the second half was very good. We upped the intensity, upped the quality levels, and it was a fair scoreline in the end.”

Club captain and record goalscorer Ward had to settle for joining the action at the interval, but she wasted little time in finding the target, completing her hat-trick after just 30 minutes before adding a fourth shortly before full-time.

Full of praise for the Wales international, Lathrope was also quick to acknowledge the tireless work of the team to wear the opposition down in the first place.

The Head Coach continued: “We anticipated it would be the way it was in the second half and we anticipated that we’d create lots of opportunities, which we did.

“We needed the right person in the right place at the right time, and we know that’s what Hels offers us. She’s taken her chances really well, and she’s going away with a match ball that she deserves.”

The fixtures are coming thick and fast for the Hornets and now all eyes turn to Sunday’s game against Oxford United (March 19, 2pm KO), with the current league leaders due to visit Grosvenor Vale.

Lathrope is pleased to see his side coming on strong ahead of an important meeting, taking momentum into the fixture.

“We’re in a good place at the moment,” added Lathrope, 33. “I think the performances in the last five or six weeks have been exceptional. They’re training really well and we’re really confident going into the weekend, but we know it’s going to be tough - they’re at the top for a reason.”