Albion Women suffered their first defeat in 11 matches, as they bowed out of The Women’s FA Cup at the hands of Notts County on Sunday afternoon.
The Baggies were undone by a Shonique Barnes penalty midway through the second half, with them unable to find a response.
It’s a quick return to action for Charlie Fripp’s outfit, who welcome Boldmere St Michaels to the Alexander Stadium on Wednesday night (ko 7.45pm).
The hosts started the game positively, as Milly Round and Abbey Jones combined well as the latter struck wide, before Hannah George tried her luck from range, only to watch it sail over the crossbar.
But as they would throughout the match, Fripp’s side had to be wary of the visitors’ poise on the break. The Magpies’ Emily Brett reminded them of that at both ends of the half - as she forced Harriet Grimshaw into two reflex saves.
George’s shot caused concern for goalkeeper Matilda Clark, but the visiting shot-stopper was able to tip it around the post from a tight angle and leave the score level at the break.
Jones saw two strikes parried away by Clarke in the opening phase of the second period, while Rhianne Oakley’s attempt from distance met the crossbar.
But unfortunately for the hosts, it was Notts County who hit them with a hammer blow after Emily Brett was adjudged to have been fouled in the penalty area, leaving Barnes to slot away a penalty kick and open the scoring.
And despite two smart stops from the visiting ‘keeper, Albion couldn’t make any of their further opportunities count, meaning they were defeated for the first time since August.
Albion: Grimshaw; Reynolds (Hollin 63’), Green, George (Day HT), Sharp (Haughey 77’); Rabjohn, Robinson (Mannu 63’), A.Jones; Oakley, Round (Kirk 63’), Collyer.
Substitutes: Clarke, Powell, D.Jones.
