WOMEN'S SOCCER: Stowmarket SophtLogic Ladies are in good shape going into this weekend's FA Cup first round visit to Brentford.They travel to London on the back of two successive wins and are firm favourites to book their place in the next stage.

WOMEN'S SOCCER

STOWMARKET SophtLogic Ladies are in good shape going into this weekend's FA Cup first round visit to Brentford.

They travel to London on the back of two successive wins and are firm favourites to book their place in the next stage.

A 1-0 league win at second-placed West Ham Ladies was followed by a 4-0 home success at the expense of Denham United.

With six points in the bag Stowmarket climbed two places to eighth in the table – and the transformation came about after a good old-fashioned natter.

Vice-captain Stephanie Lloyd explained: "After the 5-1 home defeat by Watford we sat down straight away in the dressing room and had a long chat about the way things were going.

"We went round the whole team and everyone had their say. It seemed to have a positive effect on team spirit and gave us all a lift."

Against the Hammers, Jo Raven's first goal for the club, a far post header from Lloyd's cross, was enough to earn victory for Stowmarket.

In the game against Dereham, Vanessa Smith fired Stowmarket in front from a 15th minute free-kick and Raven headed a second from Smith's near post corner before Sue Osborne twice hit the post.

A Smith corner was headed in by top scorer Debbie Morley to make it 3-0 and, after several near misses, yet another Smith flag-kick paved the way for Osborne to complete the rout with a 77th minute header.