In-form Penn beat Panthers

Tara Woodward netted another hat-trick to make it eight goals in two matches, while Ellie Lovelock and Shannon Read were also on the scoresheet for Dan Gray’s side.

Lovelock’s 25-yard screamer opened the scoring on 13 minutes before Deanna Cane restored parity 12 minutes later.

Woodward’s close-range finish in the 31st minute put Penn back in front before Read struck an impressive effort of her own on 37 minutes to make it 3-1.

Tilehurst’s Leah Why completed the first-half scoring with her 44th-minute strike.

However, despite the visitors’ best efforts, this game belonged to Penn.

Woodward’s well-taken double in minutes 46 and 53 made it 5-2, before Why struck again for Tilehurst just short of the hour mark – the final goal of a busy contest.

Penn boss Gray said: “It was a good team performance overall, with some great moments of play and exceptional goals.

“We came up against a tough opponent and overcame the challenges we faced – our quality shone through in the end. 

“Our player of the match was Ellie (Lovelock) – she scored a 25-yard screamer and was the link between defence and attack. Tara (Woodward) is also on a hot streak of eight goals in two games, and the team are really starting to click and gel together.”

The ladies – who are now just three points off top-of-the-table Denham United – welcome Farnborough to French School Meadow next weekend.

Penn: Whale, Baden, Misselbrook, Harnby, Wyncoll, Brockwell, Troth, Read, Brooks, Lovelock, Woodward.

Subs: Jones, Mackay, Thompson, Southby, Helmer.