Albion Women secured their place in the final four of the Birmingham County FA Challenge Cup with victory over Leafield Athletic Wednesday evening.
Forward Rhianne Oakley scored her third goal of the campaign with a cooly-taken effort to earn the Baggies a spot in the semi-finals.
Manager Siobhan Hodgetts-Still made five changes to the side that were defeated by Everton in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup last week. Lavarna Johnson, Millie Pullen, Seren Watkins, Ellie May and Molly Kehoe came into the XI at the Alexander Stadium.
The Baggies made a tentative start to proceedings in Perry Barr, and despite early opportunities through the right boot of Ellie May – couldn’t make any of them count.
The visitors soon found their rhythm in the game, Hannah George made a brave headed clearance to deny a Leafield volley, before full-back Abi Cowie rifled over from six-yards out.
Several excellent deliveries caused trouble for the stubborn Athletic resolve, but still, Albion were yet to find a breakthrough in the first half
The Baggies got into their groove after the break, as substitute Phoebe Warner thumped the crossbar with a volley, and Oakley forced a superb save from Colette Bell.
And it was the latter who finally unlocked the visiting defence, racing beyond her opposing centre-half to slide a calm finish past the onrushing goalkeeper to give the hosts an advantage.
George and Oakley could’ve notched in quick succession, but failed to direct their efforts on target – but Albion won't mind – as they continue their campaign to defend their Birmingham County FA Challenge Cup crown.
Albion: Johnson; Reynolds, Green, George (c); Pullen, Watkins, Robinson (Orthodoxou 73’), Haughey (Rabjohn 73’); May, Kehoe (Warner 53’), Oakley.
Substitutes: Howard, Sharp.
