FORWARD Sophia Pharoah insisted Saints Women need to "focus on ourselves" as they blew the Championship promotion race wide open with a 5-0 thrashing of Reading at St Mary's.

The 23 year old and fellow forward Katie Wilkinson both struck twice for Marieanne Spacey-Cale's side who moved to within a point of leaders Sunderland with the resounding victory.

The hosts were dominant throughout and the scoreline could, in truth, have been much worse for the Royals on a difficult afternoon for the struggling side.

Pharoah told the Daily Echo: "I feel like we controlled the game from minute one today. It was just overall a great performance from us.

"We didn’t let Reading have much of the ball and I think we controlled that well in and out of possession. I’m happy to contribute towards the team.

"We’ve tried to work on (creating chances) this week. Just with the ball and being able to create chances.

"I feel like we showed that today by putting them in the back of the net as well and being clinical.

"It’s an amazing feeling. I felt like we played with a lot of confidence, enjoyment, and freedom with the fans cheering us on. It’s such a push."

With Sunderland and Crystal Palace both being beaten by London City Lionesses and Sheffield United respectively - Spacey-Cale's side took full advantage in sensational style.

Saints led 3-0 at the break through a Wilkinson double and an Ella Morris strike before Pharoah added a double of her own in the second half to complete the rout.

Pharoah, who has now scored eight goals in the Championship this season, knows what Saints need to do if they are to achieve their goal of promotion to the Women's Super League.

She added: "We have got to just take it game by game. We have to focus on ourselves because what we can control is in our hands. We now have to go onto Blackburn for next week."

Saints now have four games remaining this season with two of those at home against Lewes on Sunday, March 31 and London City Lionesses on Sunday, April 21.

They end their campaign with a trip to one of their promotion rivals in Charlton Athletic, while the current top two Sunderland and Crystal Palace also face off on the final day.