Sunday October 28, 2007
National Division, Shawbridge
Rovers 6-0 Charlton

IT was a case of strikers at the double for Rovers Ladies, who hit Charlton for six to stretch their unbeaten run to nine games.

Katie Anderton and Caroline Dixon both bagged braces as Adam Lakeland's side sealed an impressive victory over the Premier League strugglers to move within a point of second-placed Watford in the table.

Anderton opened the scoring early on with her 16th of the campaign, before two goals in as many minutes just before half-time, from captain Natalie Preston and Dixon, gave Rovers an unassailable 3-0 lead at the break.

And it was a lead that never looked in doubt, as two more quick-fire goals, from forwards Anderton and Dixon, killed off any hopes of a Charlton fight-back.

And the Addicks' misery was complete when substitute Stacey Daniel concluded the rout in the closing minutes.

Assistant manager Kieran Bentley said: "Both Adam and myself were very pleased with the result.

"It stretches our unbeaten to nine games and there are not many teams in the women's game who will go on a run for such a length of time without defeat.

"But at such a crucial time in the season, Adam feels the squad are starting to take their foot off the gas and if we are to capitalise on this rich vein of form that we're in, the squad need to put in the hard work on the training pitch in order to ensure a top-half finish.

"We made a lot of changes before the game against Charlton, particularly at the back, so it was especially pleasing to keep a clean sheet. It just goes to show how much quality in depth we have in the squad this year.

"We were also happy to see Caz grab a brace, after a slightly barren run. It is easy for strikers to become frustrated when they are not scoring goals, but she has showed good patience and is finally getting her rewards."

ROVERS: Hobbs, Burke, Carroll, Twohig, Harding, Campbell, Preston, Shepherd, Penny (Walsh 59), Anderton (Hanson 73), Dixon (Daniel 62).

Pictures from the game are available in a special match gallery courtesy of kipax.com.