Cubs benefit from strength in numbers

CLUBHOUSE Cubs took a huge step towards claiming the women's league title with a commanding 4-0 victory in the top-of-the-table clash at Foote's Lane. Two goals each from Debbie Allen and Jo Hollyer-Hill gave Cubs a deserved win.

They had a strong bench and the luxury of rolling players on and off, while Panthers badly missed Jackie Davies in their midfield and had centre back Chantelle de la Mare playing although looking desperately ill with tonsillitis.

De la Mare started as substitute and Cubs took full advantage to bear down on the middle of their opponents' back line.

With Allen enjoying a fine match and Hollyer-Hill steaming forward whenever possible, Cubs always had the upper hand.

The two combined for the first goal, Allen slipping the ball through for Hollyer-Hill, who scored from an acute angle.

Tiggy Chibnall denied the flying forward a second with a well-timed tackle, but Panthers fell two behind as Allen was given plenty of space at a short corner to pick her spot.

And it was three within a minute as Allen attacked through the right channel and released Hollyer-Hill to nick the ball past the advancing keeper.

With de la Mare on, Panthers began to look more solid. Amanda de Jersey shaved a post from a short corner, but that was the closest Panthers came.

Lucy Sarre could have made it four before the break, a searing undercut destined for the top corner palmed away by keeper Collette Pennington.

Six minutes into the second half, it was four. Ellie Knowelden's free hit was speared across the D to Allen, who picked her spot and thumped the ball against the bac-board.