Crewe Alexandra Ladies reached the final of the Cheshire FA Ladies Cup with a convincing 7-0 victory against Chester FC Women at the Cumberland Arena.
More than 100 people watched as Crewe Ladies cruised to victory thanks to goals from Laura Garner, Megan Booth (2), Bethany Grice, Michelle Saunders, Beth Ragdale and Amanda Fallon.
Attempting to win the county cup for a third straight year this season, the Alex Ladies produced an impressive first half performance which saw a brilliant curling effort from Laura Garner give Crewe the lead after 16 minutes.
A quick-fire double from winger Megan Booth, one with a lovely strike over the keeper into the top corner, made the lead more comfortable.
Five minutes before the break, it was 4-0 when a rising star at the club Beth Grice was played in on goal by Michelle Saunders and showed great composure to slide her shot under the keeper.
Chester came out of the blocks well at the start of the second half, having good spells of possession and creating a couple of chances.
However Crewe absorbed the pressure and struck on the counter when Grice drilled a cross across goal into the path of Saunders calmly slotted into the bottom corner.
The strength and power from set pieces was proving hard to deal with for the Chester defence.
The sixth goal came from a superb corner delivery from Leanne Derry who picked out the onrushing Beth Ragdale to powerfully head home.
Some nice link-up play in the Crewe half almost led to a goal back for Chester who deserve credit for continuing to fight until the final whistle, as a last ditch block from Abbie Chapman prevented a certain tap in.
The final goal of the game came from another Crewe corner from Derry, this time turned in by substitute Amanda Fallon inside the six yard box after escaping her marker.
A Chester free-kick from just outside the box which was blazed over in the last ten minutes was the last chance for either side as the Alex Ladies comfortably made it through to the final to face Tranmere Rovers Ladies who beat Stockport County Ladies 2-0.
For a full match report, visit http://www.crewealexandraladies.com/teams/42483/match-centre/0-3926998
(Report by James Brown, pictures courtesy of Jonathan White)
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