Roade booked their place in the third round of the County Cup with a 5-1 win over Billing United.
Despite missing a number of regular players, Roade started strongly and were unfortunate not to take the lead when Katy Sanders’ lob struck the bar and fell down into the goalkeeper’s arms.
However, with a quick breakaway and a good finish, it was the unbeaten division twoleaders that took a surprise lead on 18 minutes.
It took Roade six minutes to level the scores, as Dannie Charlton began a good move from the back. Minnie Messenger and Sharn Rowlands had some good interplay before Rowlands’ shot was deflected for Messenger to head home.
Three minutes before the interval, Sanders put Roade ahead with a powerful strike that squirmed through the outstretched hands of the home goa;keeper at the near post.
Roade improved after the break and Nia Barford was unlucky to see her strike ruled out for offside after Messenger had thundered a long shot onto the underside of the crossbar.
Messenger did get her second, however, converting Rowlands’ 67th minute cross.
For a third time in the game for Roade, Sanders hit the framework of the goal, before bagging her double in the 79th minute with a wonderful trademark strike high over the helpless goalkeeper.
In the 90th minute, the 5-1 victory was sealed when a good move saw Sanders cross in low for Eloise Yeomans, who capped a fine midfield display by coolly checking inside and passing the ball into the bottom corner.
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