SAINTS FC Women boss Marieanne Spacey-Cale admitted she was "absolutely delighted" with her side's 5-0 win over Reading on Sunday.

Forwards Katie Wilkinson and Sophia Pharoah both struck twice for the hosts on an afternoon where Saints kept their promotion hopes alive.

The Saints boss was pleased with the all-round nature of the thumping win - with her side creating many chances while not letting up defensively either.

Speaking to the Daily Echo after the game, she said: "I’m absolutely delighted with the scoreline. The five goals and the clean sheet are important at this point of the season.

"We took our chances, but we also didn’t concede any, so I’m delighted with how we performed today. We’ve scored five goals, but we had a lot of chances and we have created a lot.

"Sometimes you are just sitting on the sideline watching some of the football and you are thinking this is what we are all about. 

"I’m really pleased with the performance, clean sheet, and obviously the five goals."

Spacey-Cale insisted she is "proud" of how far her side has come and how much they have learned about performing equally well in both halves.

She added: "That’s been part of our season. We have been playing really well for one half and not the other.

"Today, a lot of the learnings and what we’ve picked up throughout the season really came together today.

"We’ve set a standard now for the next four games. It’s important that we enjoy today. It was an outstanding performance.

"I’m really proud of what the girls have done but it also means we’re back on the training pitch in the week to get ready for the next game."

With promotion rivals Sunderland, Crystal Palace, and Birmingham City all dropping points on Sunday - Saints are now right back in the mix for promotion to the Women's Super League.

They are just one point behind leaders Sunderland, while they are level on points with Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic.

The Saints boss insisted the Championship is "unpredictable" and her side needs to keep going if they are to achieve their ultimate goal.

She continued: "The league is so unpredictable. Today's result and today's performance will certainly give us a lot of pride and a lot of confidence.

"We have to use today to keep building. We have to use that for next week. We’ve got goals in this team.

"Hopefully, we can take that confidence into next weekend. We’ll look forward to a tough week of training and getting ready for the next game."

Southampton FC Women travel to Blackburn Rovers on Sunday, March 24 in the first of four matches remaining this season.