Dereham's hockey masterclass

Dereham 5, Liverpool Sefton 1

Another Evie Van Poortvliet hockey masterclass sent Dereham through to round four of the Ladies' Knockout Cup as they crushed National League side Liverpool Sefton.

Van Poortvliet hit a hat-trick to help Dereham book a tie at home to another National League team, Barnes Hounslow Ealing, in the next round.

Dereham were not overawed by the calibre of their opposition on Sunday and started positively, keeping Liverpool on the back foot. After a couple of early chances went begging, Dereham captain Donna Causton scored with a dipping shot from a short corner.

Another short corner saw Causton set up Van Poortvliet for her first as she blasted the ball past the Liverpool keeper.

Dereham had chances to extend their lead, but Liverpool fought their way back into the tie, pulling a goal back after a sharp break.

Despite that setback, Dereham continued to press and Van Poortvliet restored the two-goal advantage, beating two defenders on the left byline before burying a shot low into the corner.

She completed her treble before half-time, breaking from just inside the Liverpool half before rounding the keeper with ease and applying the finish.

Just before the break, Kath Malvern produced a superb goal-line clearance to ensure Dereham went into half-time with a three-goal cushion.

Liverpool started strongly in the second half but found Dereham's player of the match, Helen Malcolmson, in outstanding form at the back, and keeper Beth Maule made crucial saves.

Holly Allen rounded off a memorable day for Dereham as she scored the fifth after a mazy run.