FARA Williams scored five goals including an eight-minute hat-trick as Reading FC Women eased into the Women’s FA Cup fifth round with a 13-0 thrashing of Keynsham Town.

Royals were strong favourites to win the fourth-round tie at Woking’s Kingfield Stadium as their opponents were the lowest-ranked side left in the competition.

As Kelly Chambers’ hosts did not disappoint as they earned themselves a home tie against Women’s Super League 1 Birmingham City in the next round.

This was Reading’s first win in six matches in all competitons and it surprisingly took them until the midway point of the first half to break the deadlock before the floodgates swiftly opened.

Royals trio Molly Bartrip, Brooke Chaplen and Williams were all guilty of missing the target in the early stages, while goalkeeper Grace Maloney made a key save to deny Kerry Bartlett at the other end.

But Williams then scored three times in an eight-minute burst to give her side a commanding lead.

England’s record appearance maker fired Reading in front from the penalty spot on 21 minutes after Lauren Bruton had been brought down at a corner.

Williams struck again from a corner three minutes later with a crisp first-time finish from Bruton’s knock-down before completing her hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 29th minute after another Keynsham foul on Bruton.

Royals notched their fourth before half time when England ace Bruton latched onto Jo Potter’s pass before lobbing visiting keeper Charlotte Haynes.

There was no let up after the break, with Chaplen netting in the 48th and 49th minutes with two well-taken strikes and Bruton scoring from close range for her second of the day on 53 minutes to make it 7-0.

Keynsham had no answer as Royals pulled further away thanks to two further goals from Williams.

She converted her third penalty of the game in the 55th minute after winning the spot kick herself then grabbed her fifth of the game four minutes later after Charlie Estcourt’s initial effort had been saved.

However, Estcourt joined in the fun soon after with Reading’s 10th goal of the afternoon on 68 minutes.

There was still time for Rakel Hönnudóttir to come off the bench and score her first goals for Royals on 78 minutes with a fine finish and then two minutes later after Moore had been denied.

The rout was completed by Gemma Davison six minutes from time after Williams had set her up.

A delighted Chambers beamed: "We knew we'd have a lot of the ball and we worked with that in the week.

“We weren't doing what we needed to do to get the openings in front of goal in the first half. We spoke about that at half-time and we delivered it in the second half."

Estcourt added: "It's really good to get back to winning ways and to get everyone's confidence up with some goals. I think everyone enjoyed that performance.

“It's always nice to get on the scoresheet and that's my first of the season so hopefully there are more to come."

Next up for Reading FC Women is a home clash against West Ham United Women at Madejski Stadium on February 20.

Reading FC Women: Moloney, Jane, Pacheco, Williams, Bartrip (Moore HT), Pearce (c), Bruton (Davison 57), Bailey, Estcourt, Chaplen (Hönnudóttir 57), Potter. Subs not used: Furness, Harding, Woodham, Laws.

Keynsham Town ladies: Haynes, Davies, Jones, Yorston, Rendall, Cullen (c), Vega, Aldridge, Bartlett, Lorton (Grogan 78), Williams.