Tom Farmer Shropshire FA Cup final

The New Saints Ladies 9

Shifnal Town Ladies 1

TNS Ladies mirrored the cup success of the men’s team as they cruised to victory against Shifnal Town Ladies in the Tom Farmer Shropshire FA Cup final.

Lawrence Wilson’s side outclassed their opposition at Shrewsbury Town’s Montgomery Waters Meadow Stadium to take home the silverware.

A hat-trick for Emily Ridge along with two goals apiece for Kim Bebbington, Laura Morris and Laura Pennington gave the team an eight-goal advantage after one goal from Shifnal in reply.

The Saints started well and put pressure on the opposition’s defence from the off. An effort by ridge was blocked just three minutes in to deny an almost certain goal.

After 13 minutes of play the Saints gave themselves a deserved lead.

Lia Lewis’ corner was met by the head of Bebbington to make it 1-0.

Just two minutes on, a penalty was awarded to TNS, calmly converted by Morris, who placed the ball to Terri Henderson’s right.

Another penalty just afterwards saw Ridge tuck it away this time, as a comfortable lead was established with just 17 minutes gone.

Pennington made it 4-0 before the half-hour mark, before Morris slotted home from close-range to make it five.

Ridge scored her sixth in the 41st minute, with Shifnal grabbing a goal of their own before the break.

Normal service was resumed when the teams returned to the pitch, as Ridge fired home from inside the penalty area to complete her hat-trick.

It was not until 65 minutes that TNS had their eighth goal, when a strike by Lewis bounced back off the bar into the path of Pennington who grabbed her second goal of the afternoon.

The final goal came in the 72nd minute when Bebbington slotted in an effort from close-range.

Reflecting on the game and season, hat-trick hero Ridge told TNS TV: “It’s been an up and down season really with a change of manager and team, but we always like to come and have fun at the county cup – it ends the season on a high which is good.

“I should have probably scored six today – but I’ll settle with three!”