Chelsea hurdle proves just too high for Millwall

Fran Kirby hit a ten-minute hat-trick as Chelsea cruised to a 6-0 FA WSL Continental Tyres Cup victory over Millwall Lionesses.

Chelsea dominated from the outset, Ji So-yun scoring the opening goal in the 19th minute by stroking the ball into the far right corner after a fabulous interchange with Jodie Brett.

The lead was doubled three minutes later when Laura Coombs helped herself to a tap in after taking advantage of Millwall keeper Frankie Gibbs’ miss-kick.

Ashlee Hincks almost halved the deficit with a shot from 20 yards which swerved wide, but it was all Chelsea and Kirby poked wide for the hosts.

Chelsea spurned a succession of chances on the cusp of half-time as So-yun hit the post, Coombs glanced a Kirby cross wide and then Coombs side-footed a penalty to the right of the post.

The Blues’ dominance continued after the break, Brett dragging a chance wide and substitute Marija Banusic only finding Gibbs’ palms with a swivel-and-shot.

Kirby then scored an impressive quick-fire hat-trick in the latter stages, combining with Gemma Davison on all three occasions to score from inside the box. 

And Coombs was on hand to atone for her earlier miss as she bagged Chelsea’s sixth from the spot in injury time.

For Millwall it is two wins and two losses in the Continental Tyres Cup, but Hincks believes her team can be proud of their performance. 

“We have to hold our heads high. We did well tonight, we dug deep throughout the whole game,” she said.

“That’s why they are where they are in WSL1 – they are by far the best team in the league.

“The plan was to come here and give a good account of ourselves. We didn’t have much to lose in this game.

“In the first half we had a couple of chances where we could have done a bit better with but Chelsea have quality players and that showed.”

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Millwall Lionesses: Gibbs, Cowan (Mackie, 66), Carlton, McKeag, Cole, Gibbons, Maple (Davis 73), Hincks, Sherwood, Ali, Babajide (WIlliams 76). Subs not used: Quantrill, Goss. Att: 507.