Oceane Hurtré's hat-trick ensured Birmingham City became the first team to reach the Adobe Women’s FA Cup quarter-finals with an 8-0 win over Chatham Town.
Chatham, the lowest-ranked side left in the competition, frustrated Birmingham at St Andrew @ Knighthead Park as their only goal in the first half came from Hurtré.
Despite impressive saves from Simone Eligon, Blues frequently netted in the second half, with Lucy Quinn, Lee Geum-min and Wilma Leidhammar all scoring alongside two for Batcheba Louis and Hurtré completing her hat-trick.
Hurtré was a constant threat early on, firing wide under pressure before earning a corner which she then sent over the bar, having been well-provided by Quinn.
The Frenchwoman then had the first shot on target as she drove into space and unleashed a vicious strike that Eligon did well to palm away.
Lee was next to be denied by the shot-stopper, who had twice been the penalty hero in earlier rounds, as she tipped a shot behind.
Eligon kept Chatham, who were the first fourth tier side to reach the fifth round, in it as Lee cut into the box and got a shot off, but once again was denied by the confident Trinidad and Tobago international.
Chatham then had their first attempt but Ellie Jeffkins' volley was wide of the target.
With 21 minutes gone, Blues still could not get the ball in the back of the net, even as Veatriki Sarri hit the underside of the bar and it bounced agonisingly out.
The goal Birmingham City deserved came in the 26th minute as Hurtré sent a ball in from out wide which looped in over Eligon.
Chatham were able to build into the game after that, as Jeffkins’ free-kick caused problems before a throw-in had to be dealt with, to see them go into the break only 1-0 down.
Birmingham were immediately on the attack from the restart, but Lee was again denied by Eligon, who came out to smother her shot before Hurtré’s attempt hit the side netting.
The Chatham keeper then easily collected Quinn’s effort as the Barclays WSL 2 side became increasingly frustrated.
Eventually, Chatham’s resolve was broken as Quinn sent a bouncing cross into the path of Sarri to tap home.
Eligon was again called into action as she tipped a Quinn shot onto the bar, but her elation was only temporary as a routine pass out from the back was pounced on by Hurtré for her second.
As the Chats began to tire, Birmingham hit their stride with substitute Louis getting on the scoresheet only minutes after coming on.
Hurtré then secured her hat-trick in identical fashion to her opener before Lee and Leidhammar both fired home as Chatham failed to adequately clear their lines.
Louis rounded out the scoring with seconds of normal time remaining to comprehensively ensure their place in the last eight.
