A superb hat-trick from Leigha Bradding-Butler helped fire Clapton CFC Women’s First Team to a 4-1 win against a good Ashford side.
Bradding-Butler hit the post early on before opening the scoring on 17 minutes with a composed finish when played through on goal.
She doubled the lead just before the half-hour mark, racing on to Maria Mendonca’s pass and firing low past the keeper.
But Ashford responded late in the half, Kayleigh Harris pulling one back with a powerful shot on 43 minutes, and started the second half on the front foot too.
However, Clapton restored the two-goal cushion shortly before the hour mark. Substitute Emily Link delivered an inch-perfect ball to the far post, where Maria Mendonca arrived first to steer it in from close range.
Five minutes into stoppage time, Bradding-Butler sealed her third hat-trick of the season, chasing down a loose back-pass and blocking the goalkeeper’s clearance to score from close range.
The win takes CCFC up into third in the table ahead of a break from league action with two cup games in a row.