Everton’s biggest test yet

Apr 11 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

EVERTON LADIES go into their heavyweight battle with Arsenal on Sunday with a comfortable 4-0 win over Leeds at Marine ion Wednesday night.

Mo Marley’s side had a score to settle, as United knocked them out of the FA Cup semi-finals only last month.

Amy Kane opened the scoring after 20 minutes with a superb strike from the edge of the box.

But the second half belonged to Natasha Dowie, who scored her first hat-trick since her move from Charlton in the summer.

Her first was a header from a corner and her second rounded off some good play from youngster Toni Duggan.

With 10 minutes left, Dowie’s neat finish past Carly Telford gave her the match ball and all three points to her side.

“I’ve been playing well recently and my confidence is high,” said Dowie.

“To score a hat-trick is very special, but to get the three points is the most important thing.

“With losing against Leeds in the semis, we just wanted to put it right today.”

But the toughest test is yet to come at the weekend as the Gunners lie in wait at Boreham Wood.

Everton beat Arsenal last time out in the League Cup final in February and Everton’s striker feels they can claim victory again.

Dowie added: “If we get the win there, you never know what’s going to happen. But we’re going there wanting to get the three points.

“We’ve won consecutive games back-to-front now. So we’re going there confident.

“And maybe I can go there and get another hat-trick.”