ROVERS Ladies moved a step closer to an historic treble by lifting the Lancashire FA Women’s Challenge Cup for a record 12th time.

They thrashed Chorley Ladies 6-1, despite falling behind, to lift the trophy and follow up their Premier League Cup success of last month. And they require a maximum of four points from their final four league matches to retain the Women’s Northern Premier League title.

It needed a second half turnaround for Rovers to secure the victory having fallen behind in the 36th minute as Melissa Ball pounced on a defensive mistake.

That lead lasted just three minutes though, Kayleigh MacDonald levelling with a back post header.

The extra quality and fitness of Gemma Donnelly’s side told in the second half as they managed five goals without reply.

Just four minutes after the re-start Saffron Jordan put Rovers ahead, before a fine Hannah Walsh strike made it 3-1 on 54 minutes.

They added a further three goals in the final five minutes, with Jordan grabbing her second of the night before Tash Fenton and Chelsey Jukes added the gloss to a fine evening.

A few Rovers regulars, such as Tash Flint and Lagan Makin weren’t involved, while captain Lynda Shepherd was rested due to a busy run of games. And midfielder Fenton praised those who came in to the side after lifting the trophy.

She said: “It’s been a busy few weeks, everyone has been putting a shift in, we are all a bit tired but the county cup means a lot to us.

“We’ve won it 11 times and appeared in 15 finals out of 23 so it was really important for us.

“We started slowly but we picked it up as usual when we go behind and I think the girls showed the class we have in the team.

“Even with a few players missing I think the youngsters that came out did a really good job.

“This big run of games has improved our fitness and I think that, and an extra bit of quality, really shone through. Credit to the girls that have come in, we will take a lot of confidence from this.”

Rovers now face four league games in eight days to finish their season, starting with a trip to Nottingham Forest tomorrow, before hosting Stoke City on Tuesday.

Pictures: KIPAX