Hay St Mary's completed a Herefordshire FA Women's League double over Belmont Wanderers after defeating the defending champions 5-1 at Forest Road on Sunday afternoon.

It was the visitors who opened the scoring in the 12th minute when they carved straight through the middle of the Saints' defence to net from close range. However, the hosts hit back within 60 seconds when Caitlin Thomas fired a shot over the Wanderers' goalkeeper from over 25 yards.

Hay St Mary's went ahead for the first time eight minutes before the interval. Thomas saw her initial strike on goal saved by the visiting custodian but Meg Ryan was on hand to stab the loose ball into an unguarded net. Ryan doubled her tally on the hour mark after Watts drove into the penalty area and her inviting cross was converted at the far post. The Saints extended their lead within two minutes of the restart when Rea headed the ball into the path of Watts to fire home from close range. Watts had a good opportunity to double her personal tally when she was played in on goal in the 67th minute but saw her shot saved by the goalkeeper's legs from the edge of the penalty area before Thomas struck an effort straight at the Wanderers' custodian four minutes later.

The scoring was completed in the 72nd minute when Caitlin O'Shea was played through on goal to lash home from just inside the penalty area. Captain Katie Nutter had an opportunity to make it six for Hay St Mary's but she was unable to convert the penalty that she had won after seeing her driving run towards goal illegally halted. The Forest Road club now turn their attention to the Herefordshire FA Women's County Cup semi-final when league leaders Ross Juniors visit on Wednesday 3rd April.