It was a close first half as the prolific Fran Kirby put Reading ahead with her first of the game, but the Bees struck back with a fine curling effort from Lucy Loomes.

But Reading were dominant in the second-half and scored four goals in an eight-minute spell to ensure victory.

Bianca Bragg - who was making her debut after joining from Arsenal last week - grabbed a brace, as did Melissa Fletcher, whilst Lauren Bruton and Cheryl Williams also struck for the Royals.

Kirby also grabbed a second goal of the game on what was a comfortable day at the office for the Royals as they marched into the next round of the cup.

And Reading boss Jayne Ludlow was ecstatic with not just the result, but the performance that came with it from her side.

“Obviously we’re extremely pleased with the result,” she said. “But more than that we’re pleased with the performance, especially in the second-half.

“We changed a few things at half-time, changed personnel and the setup that we had and it really worked for us. That was the first time I have seen them actually replicate what they are doing in training in a game situation.

“It was great, but we’re not going to get carried away. Every single one of the players, whether they started or whether they came on, did exactly what we asked them to do and put a great shift in for the team.”

Reading FC Women's star Fran Kirby has been named in the England squad ahead of a friendly clash with Sweden next month.

Kirby, with 13 goals in 11 games in the Women's Super League Two this season has been named in recent England squads by head coach Mark Sampson but is still awaiting her Three Lions debut.

England take on Sweden in Hartlepool on 3rd August ahead of a World Cup qualifier clash with Wales 18 days later, as they strive to make next year's tournament in Canada.