Malvern Town Women’s winning streak continued with a thumping win over Welland Ladies.

A quick-fire hattrick from Jade Smith led the way for an 8-0 victory against their local rivals on Sunday, January 15.

The result puts Town within touching distance of top spot Redditch Borough, who they play this weekend.

Manager Mark Taylor said: “We have a very tough game next week against Redditch Borough but I’ve got to be honest, we’re in great shape for it!”

Malvern got off to a flying start with Lucia Meigh’s cross finding the in-form Jade Smith who fired home within the opening minute.

Come the ten-minute mark Malvern doubled their lead, Saff Boswell’s stinging shot falling to Smith who tucked home for 2-0.

Smith then completed a 13-minute hat trick when Meigh again crossed from the right for her to calmly finish.

The scoring continued on 26 minutes when Boswell got on the scoresheet, finishing well following Jess Kenny’s classy through-ball.

Kenny then scored herself ten minutes before the break with a delightful strike from 20 yards out to leave the score at 5-0 come the referee’s whistle for half time.

Malvern rang the changes for the second half, with Lily Power and Chanel Gittus entering the action, the latter finding the back of the next almost immediately before being ruled offside.

Maggie Smith made it 6-0 on 55 minutes, converting a precision pass from Steph Fisher, before Gittus provided the pass for Kenny to grab her second, and a seventh for Malvern, come the hour mark.

Kenny then assisted Gittus, who was returning from an injury, to cap off an impressive display from Town.

“It was a really good performance; we’re getting into some good habits,” said manager, Taylor.

“It was encouraging to see a rounded performance despite the number of changes to the starting eleven and those during the game.

“The players and the formation were very different to last week, but the attitude and application remains the same.

“It really shows the strength in depth of our squad and a willingness to carry out instruction regardless of personnel.

Malvern now sit third in Midwest Counties Female Football League Division One on 24 points, three behind top spot Redditch who have a game in hand.