Millwall Lionesses returned to competitive action in the New Year with a resounding 3-0 derby win against Dulwich Hamlet at Champion Hill on Tuesday.
A brace from Chloe Burr after the opener from Molly Hawkins in front of an attendance of 472 ensured all three points went to Millwall.
Jack Wheeler’s side are fourth in the London & South East Regional Women’s Football League Premier Division table, four points off Dartford.
Dulwich started well with Sophie Manzi and Lucy Monkman menacing but Millwall goalkeeper Chrissie Wiggins was a commanding presence.
The visitors took the lead in the tenth minute with their first shot on goal through Hawkins, who lashed high into the net from just inside the box.
It was a frustrating half for Dulwich, who were dominated in midfield and denied chances by Millwall.
The Lionesses’ organisation and hustle frustrated the hosts, who had a half-chance before the break but Monkman didn’t have enough support to make anything of the opportunity.
In the second half, Manzi sent a ball over the top to Monkman racing through, but Wiggins got there first.
Dulwich probed again through the busy Asia Harbour-Brown, but it was Millwall who doubled their lead in the 59th minute when Burr beat the attempted block of Chana Hinds to fire past goalkeeper Klaudia Kovacs.
It took a rampant Lioness side just two minutes to make it 3-0, this time Burr beating Kovacs from outside the box after a neat exchange of passes.
Dulwich, to their credit, kept battling. Manzi and substitute Sas Philp combined and the former fired past Wiggins but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Despite the efforts of Harbour-Brown and Zoe Elmore in midfield, the home side couldn’t get through the banks of Millwall’s defence.
The home crowd then erupted and demanded a red card when Maisie Joyce pushed Elmore to the ground. Joyce escaped with a yellow card and was immediately substituted.
Millwal were determined to preserve their clean sheet. Dulwich had a chance to make it 3-1 when Hinds got forward to find Monkman but Wiggins saved.
Dulwich fans were unhappy again when Milly Penfold’s shove on Harbour-Brown went unpunished.
The Hamlet had one more chance to grab a consolation but Philp’s effort hit the woodwork.
Millwall are next in action against Ashford Town, who are a point off Dartford but with four games in hand. That game is at St Paul’s in Rotherhithe on January 23.
Dulwich host New London Lionesses at Champion Hill on Sunday. Kick-off is 2pm.
Dulwich Hamlet FCW: Klaudia Kovacs; Rhea Gall, Chana Hinds, Sarah Walters, Sophie Manzi, Anna Jowle, Lucy Monkman, Hannah Baptiste, Anna Stones, Asia Harbour-Brown, Minnie Crutwell.
Substitutes: Sas Philp, Zoe Elmore, Jazmine Lacrette, Joanna Gibson.
Millwall Lionesses: Chrissie Wiggins; Millie Connell, Elizabeth O’Callaghan, Jordan Butler, Amy Nash, Libby Stubbs, Lucy Bolitho, Chloe Burr, Milly Penfold, Maisie Joyce, Molly Hawkins.
Substitutes: Ellie Hinkley, Lottie Ivison, Serena Hand, Aiofe Saunders, Kaydence Kabadaki.
