Hertfordshire Ladies kicked off their Southern Counties Cup campaign at home to Middlesex FA.

After a fairly open start, Hertfordshire found themselves 1-0 down after 12 minutes with Middlesex attacker Ashley Cheatley taking the ball beyond keeper Yasmine Walford, providing herself with an easy finish.

Not long after Middlesex’s lead was doubled, when QPR striker Kasha Petit knocked the ball over Walford’s head and again, had a simple tap-in.

Hertfordshire kept the score-line at 2-0 up until the break, but it was the second half when Middlesex really unleashed their quality.

In the 63rd minute Lavana Neufville sparked a rampage from the visitor’s by claiming their fourth, with Katie Taylor swooping in on the action and netting a fifth just a few minutes later.

By the 70th minute, Middlesex had scored their fifth, courtesy of Mara De Luca, and at this point – were cruising.

Gemma Coggins came close to a consolation goal for Hertfordshire, but the Offley striker was unable to beat Kelly Cooper in between the sticks for Middlesex.

With five minutes to go it was six, with Ashley Cheatley collecting a brace.

The score-line doesn’t reflect it, but there was some good football played by Hertfordshire, with some talented individuals on show, however it’s the Middlesex FA ladies that kick their 2017/18 campaign off with a win.