A bizarre afternoon for the Ladies who were swept aside 5-1 by a ruthless London Bees side, in a match that saw skipper, Leyah Maddix, end the 90 in goal.

Myles Maddix made five changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Milton Keynes a fortnight ago. The starting XI saw the return of Leyah Maddix, who started from the off for the first time since February. Nicole Melling, Tanya Blacksley, Fiona Buttigieg and Natalia Makowska were given the nod over the quartet of Sarah Hudson, Shanice Lewis, Amber Leighton and Amy McLean.

It was a quick start from the Town. A driven run from Jánaye Beaufort enabled her to pick out Leyah Maddix, who fired goalwards and forced a smart save from Tia Ginn, who pushed the ball behind for the games first corner.

Fiona Buttigieg’s delivery brushed off the unexpecting Emily Wilson and onto the post. A let off for the Bees.

Millie Isherwood gave the hosts the lead after ten minutes. The forward was played through on goal and was fortunate to see her initial shot ricochet off Nicole Melling, rebound back to her, and then go into the net.

Andie Dickens lead the Town’s charge as they looked to get back into the game. She glided through the middle of the pitch, before sending the ball out wide to Emily Wilson, with the latter firing high over the crossbar.

A collision between Isherwood and Nicole Melling, left the Town keeper on the floor with a nasty gash below her eye. She was unable to continue and was replaced by Sarah Hudson.

Both sides failed to create any clear goalscoring opportunities in the remainder of the first half. The Town trailed 1-0 heading into the break.

Ten minutes after the restart, Courtnay Ward-Chambers made her return from suspension, replacing the injured Makowska.

Ward-Chambers was involved instantly. She picked up the ball in a central position and shifted it out wide to Wilson, who laid the ball off for Dickens, only for the in-form midfielder to fire straight at Ginn.

On the hour, the Hatters’ injury woes continued. Hudson went down off the ball and she was also unable to continue, and with no third choice goalkeeper available, Town skipper, Leyah Maddix, put the gloves on.

Maddix was called into action straight away and made an impressive save, to claw the ball away from her goal.

Buttigieg’s stunning long-range effort was met by an equally impressive save from Ginn, who tipped the ball over the bar and out for a Luton corner.

From the subsequent corner, the Ladies equalised, via veteran centre half Tanya Blacksley. Buttigieg’s pinpoint delivery was powerfully headed home by Blacksley, for her first of the season!

Sandy Martins restored the Bees’ lead, just minutes after the equaliser. Cooly tucked away into the bottom left corner, well out of Maddix’s reach.

Sandy Martins added the Bees’ third and her second on minute 88, another well-taken finish.

In the fifth minute of added time, the hosts struck again. This time it was Hayley Hoare, who slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

The Bees netted once more in the seventh minute of additional time. Martins found herself one-on-one against Maddix and finished expertly into the bottom right corner to complete her hat-trick.

Town: Melling (Hudson 28, Leighton 64), Makowska (Ward-Chambers 55), Blacksley, Swarres (Brooks 79), Tambula, Dickens (Chellenbron 90), Maddix, Wilson, Buttigieg, Milliken, Beaufort.

Unused subs: Fryer, Fensome.

Report Owen Williams Photos Duncan Jack