Sinclair opened the scoring after eight minutes and Sadie Gregory doubled our advantage before the break.

The Blues added two goals in as many minutes early in the second half through substitutes Aysia Matabaro and Tess Finn, before Sinclair struck twice more to complete her treble.

Leanne Champ’s side controlled possession and combined well to create opportunities throughout Wednesday’s first-round tie. Disciplined work without the ball helped secure another clean sheet.

Sinclair and Gregory give Blues the lead

Chelsea went ahead following a move started by Gregory, whose long diagonal pass found Zoe Ciccardini. Keira Johnson’s run beyond the Ipswich full-back created space for Ciccardini to play her into the box.

Johnson delivered a first-time pass across goal and the unmarked Sinclair placed her finish into the bottom-left corner.

The Blues doubled the lead on 33 minutes following a short free-kick involving Chloe Sarwie and Gabi Storey. Storey’s effort from the edge of the area was parried by the goalkeeper, and Gregory reacted to finish the loose ball.

Sinclair completes her hat-trick

Champ made four changes at half-time, introducing Annie Boichat, Matabaro, Jahmya Putman and Finn for Sophie Leach, Rebekah Pierce, Chelsea N’Drin and Johnson.

Matabaro added our third six minutes after the restart. Belle Sullivan and Ciccardini helped work the ball down the left to Putman, who beat her defender and drove inside before finding Matabaro across the edge of the box. She cut inside and finished across goal.

The Blues scored again a minute later. Ciccardini intercepted a pass following the restart and found Putman, whose deflected cross reached Storey.

Storey picked out Sinclair, who moved the ball wide to Matabaro. Her pass found Finn’s late run into the box, and the substitute finished first time.

Sinclair scored her second on 62 minutes after Gregory collected a cleared corner and found Ciccardini on the right. Her deep cross reached Sinclair, who shifted the ball inside her defender and struck low into the bottom-right corner.

Emelia Addison replaced Gregory on 70 minutes before Sinclair completed her hat-trick five minutes later.

A short corner led to quick combinations between Sinclair, Storey and Sarwie. Receiving Sarwie’s pass, Sinclair drove across the pitch, skipped past two defenders and fired through the crowded penalty area from just outside the box.

What it means

Chelsea advance to the quarter-finals of the PGA Cup following our first-round victory.

What is next

The Blues return to PGA Division 1 action on Wednesday 18 November, travelling north to face Manchester United Women Under-21s. Kick-off is scheduled for 2pm.

Team

Chelsea: Bella Bartlett, Chloe Sarwie, Sadie Gregory (Emelia Addison 70), Sophie Leach (Annie Boichat h-t), Rebekah Pierce (Aysia Matabaro h-t), Belle Sullivan (c), Gabi Storey, Zoe Ciccardini, Stevie Sinclair, Chelsea N’Drin (Jahmya Putman h-t), Keira Johnson (Tess Finn h-t)
Scorers: Sinclair 8, 62, 75, Gregory 33, Matabaro 51, Finn 52