Ladies boss Maria Rudd was left with a big void when previous keeper Clare Ireson quit the game a few weeks ago, but she had a ready-made solution already in her squad.

Rudd decided to deploy outfield player Lou Nicholls between the sticks and it has worked a treat with the new shot-stopper helping her side to five successive victories to continue their 100 per cent start to the season.

Nicholls operated as a striker when with previous club Peterborough Azure and has played as a holding midfielder since joining Ladies.

Rudd said: "Lou played in goal for boys' teams when she was a kid and she always plays there in five-a-sides.

"We knew she would be able to do a job for us and she's done really well in every game since Clare retired."

Nicholls was again in fine form as Ladies claimed county bragging rights with a second victory of the season over Cambridge United on Sunday, despite playing the majority of the game with only 10 women.

Ladies lost defender Stacey Schreiber to a sixth minute injury in this Eastern Region Premier Division encounter and had no fit substitutes, but they made a mockery of their numerical disadvantage.

Hannah Stubbs fired them ahead with a half-volley following Stacey Gross' corner before Lisa White doubled their lead when steering a shot past the Cambridge keeper.

Nicholls was finally beaten in the dying moments, but Cambridge couldn't strike again as Ladies' winning run continued.

Boss Rudd added: "It was an excellent victory which means we go into our big FA Cup game this Sunday brimming with confidence."

Ladies entertain West Lynn at their Alconbury FC base (2pm kick-off) in the third qualifying round with a place in the first round up for grabs.


PETERBOROUGH Diamonds first foray into senior football continues to reap rich rewards.

Richard Evans' side stretched their 100 per cent record to five Fenland League matches when winning 4-1 at Chattiers.

Diamonds had to wait 33 minutes to find a breakthrough when a low Amelia Webster drive flummoxed the Chatteris keeper.

That was swiftly followed by a second goal for Zoe Watkins after some excellent approach play from hard-working Harriet Ford.

Chatteris did briefly cut their losses but Diamonds soon dismissed any thoughts of a comeback. Beth Login unleashed a long range screamer before Dani Croucher completed the scoring with a smart close range finish."

Diamonds: H. Arnold, C. Lovesey, S. Slann, S. Garwell, H. Ford, Z. Watkins, A. Webster, J. Worth, B. Login, D. Croucher, E. Stebbing, F. Howe.