A hat-trick from Toni Duggan along with goals from Betsy Hassett, Jill Scott, Steph Houghton and Danielle Young helped the Blues to a deserved victory, as Nick Cushing’s side dominated proceedings from start to finish.
Cushing made three changes to the side that defeated Celtic 3-0 and drew 0-0 with Glasgow City. Andie Worrall started in goal in place of the injured Karen Bardsley, whilst Emma Lipman and Hassett replaced Nicola Harding and Natasha Flint.
Chelsea Nightingale once again partnered captain Houghton in the centre of defence, with Lipman and Steph Marsh at full-back and Jess Holbrook protecting the back four.
In midfield, Scott accompanied Hassett in the centre, with Krystle Johnston and Isobel Christiansen playing in an advanced role. Duggan operated as the lone striker.
Due to injuries to Bardsley, Lynda Shepherd and Danielle Lea, Cushing was forced to name just four substitutes, which even omitted a replacement goalkeeper. Those who made the bench were Harding, Flint, Young and Kim Turner.
The Blues started the game brightly and almost took the lead within two minutes. Scott sent Duggan clear but the striker couldn’t beat Danielle Hill in the Durham goal.
And that would be a recurring theme for the first 25 minutes, as Lipman’s shot was tipped around the post before Hassett, Christiansen, Houghton all saw their efforts blocked by the Wildcats’ shot-stopper. Johnston and Christiansen also tried a curling shot each but both were high and wide.
City finally did break the deadlock on 26 minutes though as Duggan fired home a low shot that snuck inside the near post. It was the striker’s first goal for the club and she certainly enjoyed it.
From then on, Cushing’s side were in complete control and just two minutes later, they doubled their lead. A fast-paced, well-worked move ended with Scott back-heeling the ball to Hassett, whose shot had just enough power to beat Hill and bounce over the line.
In the last ten minutes of the half, the Blues hit the woodwork twice through Christiansen and Houghton before Scott’s volley looped over the bar and Duggan had another effort well-saved
City did net again in stoppage time though as another fine move cut open the Durham defence and when Johnston squared to Scott, the England midfielder had the easy task of tapping into an empty net to make it 3-0 at the break.
Within a minute of the restart, the visitors continued where they left off and Duggan scored her second and the Blues’ fourth. After a scramble in the box, the striker was quick to turn and poke the ball into the far corner.
On 50 minutes, there was a long stoppage in play as Durham’s Beth Hepple had to receive treatment before being substituted. Shortly afterwards, Harding replaced Lipman for City, as the defender had also suffered a knock.
The long pause meant that the Blues lost some of their fluidity although they did create a few half-chances that were wide of the target. Houghton then hit the bar for the second time with a header on 70 minutes before making one count five minutes later for City’s fifth.
Christiansen also had a goal ruled out for offside on 82 minutes before Duggan - having made several attempts to complete her hat-trick - finally scored her third of the afternoon in injury time with a lobbed finish.
And there was still time for substitute Young to join in on the action with a close-range effort for her side’s seventh goal.
