West Ham United Ladies made it five games unbeaten at the start of the 2009/10 season on Sunday but more importantly picked up their first win of the campaign.
The Hammers comprehensively beat Crystal Palace 5-1 at Thurrock to lift them to sixth in the early standings of the FA Tesco Women's Premier League South.
Midfielder Zoe Marshal got the scoring underway with a penalty in the 13th minute only for Becky Merritt to equalise four minutes later. Despite the hosts having some decent chances, that is how the scores stayed until the break.
It was all change after the interval, however, as Tracey Duxbury gave West Ham the lead two minutes after the re-start. Gemma Shepherd then added a crucial brace in the space of two minutes to give some breathing space before Kayleigh Xidhas added a fifth in the last minute.
Tony Marshall's side are next in action on Sunday when they most Millwall Ladies in a mouth-watering FA Tesco Women's Premier League Cup tie.