Marc Skinner showed great respect to our opponents from the third tier of the women's game, the National League Southern Premier Division, by selecting a strong starting line-up.
The head coach made only four changes from last Sunday's top-four WSL clash with Tottenham Hotspur, bringing in Hannah Blundell at the back, Carrie Jones and Ivana Ferreira Fuso in midfield and Martha Thomas in attack. Meanwhile, the bench boasted numerous internationals and it would transpire that several of them would be needed to eventually see off the underdogs at Fairfax Park.
The Reds were camped in Bridgwater's half at Fairfax Park during the first half and deservedly went ahead through Ladd's close-range finish in the 17th minute, following a low cross in from the right.