Ladies surge ahead

Colchester United Ladies 0-4 West Ham United Ladies

West Ham United Ladies have pushed further ahead at the top of the FA Women's Premier League table after a thumping victory at local rivals Colchester United.

The game had been in some doubt all week due the muddy conditiions at Colchester's Stanway Rovers ground but the Hammers were delighted it got the go ahead. Gemma Shepherd, Rosey Sullivan, Tracey Duxbury and Nina Downham (pictured) were all on target in a comprehensive win.

Shepherd opened the scoring on the quarter-hour mark and ten minutes from half-time Sullivan doubled the Hammers' advantage. Duxbury put the game beyond doubt shortly before the hour and Downham weighed in with a fourth on 72 minutes as the Hammers warmed up in perfect style for their League Cup quarter-final with Leicester City next weekend.

With rivals Kenysham Town's match postponed, the Hammers have stretched their lead to six points at the top of the table.