Four second-half goals from striker Naomi Lyon were the highlight of Langford Ladies 7-0 win against Barton in the semi-final of the Beds County Cup. Played at Barton Rovers ground, reigning cup holders Langford pushed Barton back straight from the kick

Four second-half goals from striker Naomi Lyon were the highlight of Langford Ladies' 7-0 win against Barton in the semi-final of the Beds County Cup.

Played at Barton Rovers' ground, reigning cup holders Langford pushed Barton back straight from the kick-off.

They went 1-0 up within two minutes when Laura Shearwood drilled a shot just under the bar from the edge of the penalty box to record her first goal in a Langford shirt.

Both sides struggled to put together many meaningful passing moves as the rutted pitch made reading the bounce of the ball difficult.

Langford won a succession of corners and went close several times but a mixture of weak finishing and keen defending by Barton's defence prevented any additional score.

Rovers had a period of pressure in the middle of the half but found goalie Verity Crook hard to beat as she dealt well with any danger.

With 10 minutes of the half remaining, Faye Rees added to her season's tally with a good finish when she found space inside the penalty box and fired home into the top of the net.

Langford went in 2-0 up at the break and without a sub keeper, Laura Bright took over from Crook who had to leave the pitch at half time with an injury picked up in the dying moments of the half.

Kicking up hill, Langford again dominated proceedings and as Barton tired, took total command of the match.

Laveena Betts added the third from the penalty spot after Rees was needlessly fouled soon after the restart.

This was followed by the first of Lyon's goals, a header from a right-wing cross for Langford's fourth.

Two close range finishes completed her hat-trick before the best of the lot.

A sprint after a through ball saw her win the race and lift the ball over the on-rushing keeper to finish with the last kick of the match.

Langford squad: Verity Crook (Laveena Betts 46m), Nikki Day, Sheree Oliver, Sophie Bailey (Donna McGuigan 65m), Debbie Styles, Emma Tune, Laura Bright, Shelley Forster, Laura Shearwood, Naomi Lyon, Faye Rees.

Arlesey Town Ladies were crushed 9-0 at higher league Bedford Belles in the other semi-final.

Karen Walker had headed off the line before the Belles opened the scoring from a corner.

Arlesey were three goals down at the break and they conceded a fourth on the restart.

It turned into a rout during the last 20 minutes of the tie as Belles scored five more times as Arlesey ran out of ideas to stop them.

Arlesey's second team met tough opposition in Leverstock Green away and were unlucky to lose 3-0.

They had chances to score at the beginning of the match but just could not convert them.

Player's player and manager's player of the match was awarded to Claire Hodgson for her tenacity and creativity down the right.

Hitchin Hearts kept up the pace at the top of the Beds and Herts Ladies' League by beating Kings Sports Luton 3-0.

It was a Jekyll and Hyde performance with the Hearts taking a 3-0 half-time lead, top scorer Becky Saunders scoring two and possibly a goal from Sheryl Duguid or an own goal.

The second half was a bit of a disappointment but the girls are still at the top of the table.