Chelsea Women's Under-18s, who play in the PGA Under-21 Women's League, were ahead inside seven minutes on Wednesday through Stevie Sinclair and established a two-goal advantage before the interval thanks to Maisie Brickell's strike.

After the break, Chelsea added six more goals, with Chelsea N'Drin, Sinclair and Brickell all ending the match with two goals, while Jahyma Putman and Tess Finn also added their names to the scoresheet.

Chelsea dominated possession throughout and combined attacking quality with defensive discipline to ensure they opened the new league season with both three points and a clean sheet.

Bright start rewarded

Chelsea made a positive start and moved in front after seven minutes.

Victoria Rudz's clipped pass into the wide channel allowed Brickell to advance down the flank and deliver a cross into the box. Sinclair arrived from midfield and fired home from the edge of the area to give the Blues an early lead.

The second goal arrived after 17 minutes and again involved Rudz and Brickell. Spotting space beyond the London City back line, Rudz played forward into the right channel, where Brickell drove towards goal before cutting across her defender and finishing at the near post.

Chelsea continued to control possession and territory for the remainder of the first half, limiting opportunities for the hosts while taking a deserved two-goal advantage into the interval.

Blues pull away

A triple substitution at the break helped maintain Chelsea's momentum and a third goal arrived six minutes into the second half.

After Putman switched play to Zoe Ciccardini, the defender found Sinclair's run in behind. The goalkeeper showed bravery to deny Sinclair's initial effort, but N'Drin reacted quickest to convert the rebound.

Chelsea continued to press aggressively and nearly extended the lead further when N'Drin was brought down in the penalty area after a high regain. Sinclair's resulting penalty was saved, but the Blues were adding to the scoresheet once again soon after.

The fourth goal arrived on 76 minutes when combinations around the edge of the box by Finn and N’Drin helped create space for Sinclair, who took a touch beyond the last defender before finishing confidently.

Goals keep coming

A minute later Chelsea struck again. Finn recovered possession high up the pitch and switched play to Putman, who advanced towards goal before spinning past the goalkeeper and calmly finishing into an empty net.

Finn then added her own name to the scoresheet on 86 minutes. After some quick combinations the ball was worked wide to Putman at left wing, she showed positive 1v1 play to get to the byline to pull the ball back to the edge of the box for the arriving Finn, who’s placed shot to the goalkeeper’s right added another.

Three minutes later, N’Drin and Gregory helped win possession high up the pitch and the latter played into Brickell on the edge of the box. She turned and placed a composed finish across goal for Chelsea's seventh.

There was still time for one more. Deep into added time, Sinclair dropped low to combine with Ciccardini, who was able to find Storey inside the pitch, with good vision and quick play. Storey played forward through the defensive line of London City Lionesses to find Brickell in the wide area. After some more positive play, Brickell delivered a lofted cross into the box which was met by N’Drin in the air to score the final goal.

What it means

The result means Chelsea Women Under-18s sit top of the Professional Game Academy South League table thanks to their eight-goal winning margin.

What's next?

Chelsea's next fixture sees us travel to face Wycombe Wanderers Women in the senior Women's National League Cup on Thursday. The Blues then return to Professional Game Academy South League action on Sunday 30 August when Crystal Palace visit.

Team

Chelsea Women Under-18s (4-3-3): Victoria Rudz; Elise Christian, Sophie Leach, Zoe Ciccardini, Maisie Brickell; Belle Sullivan © (Sadie Gregory 70’), Stevie Sinclair, Keira Johnson (Tess Finn 45’); Rebekah Pierce (Jahyma Putman 45’), Carla Gardiner (Chelsea N’Drin 45’), Aysia Matabaro (Gabi Storey 45’)

Unused subs: None

Scorers: Sinclair 7, 76; Brickell 17, 89; N'Drin 51, 90+5; Putman 77; Finn 86

Manager: James Moran