Match reportLFC Women score six at London Bees to secure FA Cup progress

The Reds were expected to have too much quality for the National League Division One side on Sunday and so it proved despite a brave effort from the young hosts at The Hive in Barnet.

New signings Denise O'Sullivan and Martha Thomas marked their debuts with first half goals, which came either side of a Mia Enderby effort, before Gemma Evans and a quickfire Alice Bergstrom brace completed the scoring.

It was also a notable day for Academy graduate Maizie Trueman, who became the club's youngest ever player in the professional era, starting in midfield at the age of just 16 years and 88 days.

Gareth Taylor made eight changes to his starting line-up from the draw with London City Lionesses, but his team still spent most of the game camped in the Bees' half, trying to break down a 5-4-1 low block.

Getting the ball wide to Ceri Holland on the left and Enderby on the right was the early tactic, both offering real threat when the ball was switched their way.

A more unlikely source created the first chance on just four minutes though, captain Gemma Bonner unleashing a shot from outside the box, which goalkeeper Tia Ginn could only parry into the path of Thomas, but the striker's dream debut would have to wait a few minutes as she fired wide.

Respite for the Bees lasted just three minutes, though, as fellow debutant O'Sullivan secured her first goal in red after her move from the North Carolina Courage was concluded on Saturday.

A sustained period of pressure ended with a cross from Alejandra Bernabe being turned home by the Republic of Ireland international, much to the delight of the travelling support.

And they did not have to wait too long for a second goal, Enderby extending the lead on 13 minutes.

Set-plays were a regular threat for the visitors and, from a Holland corner, Thomas headed the ball back for the winger to turn home.

The Bees were struggling to exit their own half, Thomas meeting an Evans pass with a header, which Ginn claimed near her line.

Enderby then fired just over after another long period of Liverpool possession, and it was no surprise when a third goal arrived a short time later.

Bernabe played a ball into the box in the air and Thomas met it with a clever looping header over Ginn for 3-0.

Loan arrival Thomas was in the mood now, turning sharply on a Sofie Lundgaard pass and blasting a rising shot just over.

It needed a strong hand from Ginn to turn over a Trueman shot, Bonner heading the resulting corner just wide, while Holland hit the side netting after a clever interchange with Thomas to complete the first half chances.

Trueman looked to have joined the debut goalscorers just after the break, smashing home a volley from inside the box, but the offside flag cut celebrations short.

A fourth did arrive a few minutes later, with Spanish full-back Bernabe again involved. Her low corner was turned in by Evans from close range.

Bernabe almost grabbed another assist with 20 minutes left, her corner headed narrowly wide by Bonner.

There were plenty of chances for the Reds to stretch the lead, though resolute defending and a swathe of last-gasp blocks from the hosts looked set to keep them out, while the post also denied Lundgaard.

Bergstrom, however, gave the scoreline the flourish it probably deserved with two goals in two minutes late on.

The first was a stunner, a shot from 25 yards which was past the goalkeeper in an instant with just under five minutes left.

The second arrived almost instantly, a moment of fortune as a powerful cross from the right flew over Ginn and into the net to the delight of the Reds in the stand behind.

Substitute Kirsty Maclean rattled the bar from distance in injury time, but the Reds had done more than enough to secure their place in Monday night's draw.

Team

Liverpool: Falk, Parry (Shimizu, 72), Evans, Bonner, Bernabe, O'Sullivan (Maclean, 72), Lundgaard, Trueman, Holland (Woodham, 72), Enderby (Bergstrom, 72), Thomas.

Subs not used: Kirby, Fisk, Kapocs, Nagano, Clark.

Up next

Liverpool return to Barclays Women's Super League action on Sunday January 25 with the hosting of Tottenham Hotspur.

The Reds will welcome Spurs to St Helens Stadium for a 11.55am GMT kick-off.