Despite having a fair amount of possession, Sutton failed to make the best of it and fell behind when a shot from a tight angle squeezed between Zoe McNulty and her near post. The second goal came from a long pass that sent a striker through to lift the ball over McNulty, and the third was from a similar pass which this time the scorer of the first goal took round McNulty before rolling the ball in.

The home keeper made one excellent save from a miscued clearance from a defender following a corner, and was out quickly to dive at Amelia Cutler’s feet when Laila Malcolm’s pass sent the striker through, but Sutton did have a goal back before half time when the referee adjudged that Emma Spear’s cross had been handled and Chloe Francis converted the penalty.

Sutton started the second half well and debutant Hannah Thomas, who has signed from Dartford, saw a shot go just past the post. However a quick break allowed the Ashford striker to go through and complete her hat trick just after the hour mark, and although Sutton still created openings Ashford’s defence was solid, with the game ending in a slightly harsh scoreline for U’s.

Team: Z McNulty, S Modak, E Meehan, F Colepio, M South, A Measures, E Spear, H Talbut-Smith, L Malcolm, A Cutler, H Thomas. Subs C Francis, A Tyrer, M Frances-Creaser, T Bussey, C Savage.

There was also a 4-1 scoreline with a hat trick in the reserves’ game in the Surrey Divisional Cup away to Old Tiffinians, but this one went in Sutton’s favour as Amy Wright’s treble and a goal from Lucy Hearn saw U’s through to the next round.

Next week the first team are away to Actonians in the Capital Senior Cup, and it’s the development team’s turn to play Old Tiffinians, this time in a league game. Confirmation of venues and kick off times will be on the website later in the week.