Headless Cross Ladies got back to winning ways after an impressive 3-2 victory against Stoke City Ladies.

And it was striker Teressa Boddington who led the way with a double to help steer her side to maximum points.

In a game played in heavy conditions both teams started off playing some flowing football.

With half-time approaching, the defences looked to be on top. But this changed when a late flourish saw Cross net three goals in five minutes.

The opener came when Coral Ioney and Boddington combined with the latter forcing the ball home at the far post.

Stoke hit straight back but were denied an equaliser when player of the match Emma Brayley made a great tackle. Cross immediately broke through Felicity Pate who linked with Mandy Ellicott wide on the left who in turn found Jade Craddock who doubled the lead with a sweet left foot shot.

Moments later the impressive Denise Markham won the ball in the centre of midfield to quickly put Boddington in to turn her defender and score her second of the game with a well placed shot high into the net.

Stoke stepped up a gear at the start of the second half and reduced the arrears with a long-range shot that could only be helped into net by keeper Tina Benbow.

Stoke then struck a second and Cross needed Benbow to be at her best in goal to keep out a third, the keeper producing a number of saves.

After weathering the storm, the Redditch side began creating chances of their own with Ellicott seeing what looked like a good goal ruled out for offside.

Manager Rob Auld said: "We played much better today and deserved victory against a well organised Stoke side.

"We need to take this performance into our next game in two weeks time at Kidderminster in the semi-final of the Hereford and Worcester County Cup. ''

Headless Cross Reserves had their game at Malvern postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

They are next in action on Sunday when they meet Burlish Olympic at the Abbey Stadium in the semi-final of the Kidderminster Hospital Cup.