Emilia Reinhardt scores hat-trick in Cambridge United Under-18s’ 7-0 victory over Netherton United

Emilia Reinhardt hit another hat-trick as Cambridge United Under-18s moved to within two points of the top of the Junior Premier League with a 7-0 demolition of Netherton United at Cambourne Village College on Saturday.

Billie Cook, Mae Bissett, Gwen Davis-Jones and new signing Olivia Welham were also on target for the young U’s as Sean Greygoose’s team kept a clean sheet for the third league game this season.

Reinhardt has found the back of the net 15 times this season and the management team of Greygoose and Charlotte Crisp were pleased with the result despite their team not really being challenged by their opposition.

“This was one of those games where on paper you’re expected to go and get a result,” said Greygoose. “Although on paper, we were expected to win, we were without the likes of Natasha Coe, Lily Horsler, Holly Plummer, Flo Hjaltun-Rayner and Katie Watler who would be regular players within our 11.

“However, this allowed other players to claim a place within the group and show how strong our set-up can be. We were really pleased with the final result.

“We spoke about how well we started last week and trying to do this again this week. I felt like although we were far from our best myself and Charlotte were pleased with the final result.

“We started the game well and created a few chances but could have also took more. We have set challenges around keeping a clean sheet but also taking chances.

“We were really pleased with some of the football we played, but I don’t feel that we were ever stretched to a point where the girls had to really work hard.

“We are really looking forward to the last part of the season and hopefully getting most of our group on the pitch to finish the season.”

The first goal came after eight minutes when a Davis-Jones corner was bundled over the line by Cook. Davis-Jones was also involved in the second goal 12 minutes later as she fed Isabella Gjergji, who passed to Reinhardt to slot home.

Three goals then came in five first-half minutes as Reinhardt added her second with a nice finish, Welham scored after being set up by Jasmine Fox and Bissett hit a ball from wide on the right that flew into the goal.

David-Jones deservedly got a goal for herself in the 78th minute when she finished after a good run into the box by Reinhardt, beating two defenders in the process.

The scoring was finished when Reinhardt completed her hat-trick six minutes from time with the move of the match. Davis-Jones played a measured through ball into the path of Millie Docking, who hit an excellent first-time cross for Reinhardt to finish.

United travel to bottom-of-the-table Goffs Oak on Saturday (15 February).