Women's Team

WBA FC Women battle back in Cup clash

Trina Greaves at the double in 3-1 win

ALBION fought back from a goal down to win 3-1 at home to Lewes Ladies FC and book their place into the SSE Women's FA Cup Fourth Round. 

 
The Baggies who had not played in over a fortnight dusted off some early cobwebs to seal the victory and set themselves up for a possible mouth-watering tie with an FA Women's Super League outfit. 
 
Danni Lane opened the scoring for the visitors before Trina Greaves struck twice and Leigh Dugmore added a third to see off the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division side. 
 
Albion started quite brightly forcing a couple of corners, but failed to trouble the Lewes defence with any real efforts on goal. 
 
And they were made to pay in the eleventh minute when a right-wing corner from McIntyre was headed home at the near-post by Danni Lane. 
 
That goal seemed to kick start the Baggies and Sargent making her full debut came close, but could only guide a header into the sidenetting after a well delivered free-kick from Darby. 
 
In the 27th minute Albion were awarded a penalty when Poole went down under the challenge of Palmer. Trina Greaves stepped up and cooly converted into the bottom corner to put the Baggies back on level terms. 
 
Despite early Second half pressure from the visitors, it was Albion who were creating the better openings. 
 
Cottam's curling free-kick was spilt by Lewes goalkeeper Dolbear before Rutherford cleared the ball off the line in the nick of time to stop any Albion player prodding in the rebound. 
 
But the Baggies were not to be denied three minutes later when Nat Poole's inch perfect set-piece found the head of Greaves and the ball hit the underside of the bar before dropping into the net. 
 
Palmer almost produced an equaliser for Lewes, but the full-back could only hook a cross into the sidenetting after finding space down the left wing. 
 
Yet it was Albion who proved lethal infront of goal once more thanks to Leigh Dugmore's tenth goal of the season. 
 
Warner slipped a lovely ball through to the substitute who executed a perfect 20-yard chip over Lewes goalkeeper Dolbear ensuring the Baggies are in the hat for the next round. 
 
"It was a superb performance, I think to be honest their first goal was a wake up call for us," said Head Coach Craig Nicholls.
 
"Our girls realised we were in a game after going behind and the reaction was fantastic, all credit to them for that." 
 
WBA FC Women: Thomas, Highman, Wright, Stewart, Darby, Hull, Sargent (Dugmore 63), Greaves, Cottam, Poole (Warner 71), Parnell (Dicken 89) Unused Subs: Price, Butler 
 
Lewes Ladies FC: Dolbear, West, Palmer (Bridge 83), McIntyre (Newton 39), Thompson, Capon, Heather, Rutherford, Lane, Bridges, Stennins (Love 83) Unused Subs: None