It's high fives for Ridge as Saints cruise
Emily Ridge stole the show as The New Saints Ladies beat Knowle Ladies 8-0 at Park Hall Stadium in the West Midlands Regional Premier League.
Clinical forward Ridge struck five times for the champions as they romped to victory.
Boss Joe Thompson made a number of changes to his team for the trip to Knowle – who sit one spot below the Saints in fifth – with goalkeeper Ceri Evans left out of the starting line up, while Charlotte Canlett missed the game through injury. The Shropshire side wore their new away kit, kindly sponsored by Interlink Express Hereford.
The Saints looked to continue their recent good form, after beating the RAF in midweek they took the lead through Ridge.
The top-scorer broke free of the defence before slotting beyond the goalkeeper. Ridge soon added her second, once again finding the bottom corner.
Thompson's ladies completed the first-half scoring through former Northern Ireland international Sarah Burke, who struck a fine effort from just inside the box.
The visitors were instantly back in command and Ridge completed her hat-trick to hand her side their fourth. She then rattled in a quick-fire fourth and fifth.
Laura Morris added the Saints' seventh goal before Sophie Davies completed the scoring.
Thompson said: "We were excellent. I'm pleased with a clean sheet but to score eight goals is a big positive.
"I think we are getting better and better. Emily Ridge was outstanding with her five goals.
"The league is always our main focus but we are all looking forward to a big game next week in the FA Cup."
The Saints take on Wolves next week in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round at Park Hall Stadium, 1.00pm kick-off.
In Division One, it was 14 of the best for Shrewsbury Juniors as they ran out stunning 14-2 winners at basement side Florence.
The result keeps Juniors in third place, just three points behind leaders Burton Albion.
Shrewsbury Town fell to a 4-0 home defeat to Burton.
Town remain fifth, sixth points behind fourth-placed Stone Dominoes.
The New Saints Ladies Reserves returned to winning ways in the derby with Whitchurch thanks to goals from Sara Bengtsson and Jem Smith.
The Saints took the lead in the first half. Swede Bengtsson getting on the end of Hannah Brown's ball to open the scoring.
Whitchurch got back into the game early in the second half but a late break saw Smith grab the winner.
