Naomi Sharp was Albion Women’s late hero as they beat Rugby Borough at the Alexander Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The versatile midfielder’s strike from 25 yards was the difference between the two sides, as the Baggies scored in the 95th minute to clinch all three points.
In doing so, Charlie Fripp’s side became the first side to beat the Borough this season and moved up to fourth in the FAWNL Northern Premier table after five matches played.
The visitors had two early shots to test Charlotte Clarke, with Yasmin Mosby and Ebony Wiseman taking aim from range, but the Baggies No.1 was equal to it.
Both teams had penalty shouts denied by the referee through Rhianne Rush and Mai Moncaster waved away, before Riya Mannu saw her shot whistle past the top corner.
There was very little in the way of key chances in the second period. Ebony Wiseman tried her luck again from distance, but Clarke was equal to it.
Fripp looked to change the dynamic of the game, introducing Jess Collyer just after the hour mark, and it almost paid dividends for his side.
Forward Collyer raced away on the counter-attack, and looked to find Rhianne Oakley with a neat square pass, but Eve Clarksson was on hand to intercept and prevent the Baggies from scoring.
Rugby hit the bar in the 91st minute, but it was Sharp who had the final say on proceedings, as she lobbed Millie Crook from distance to hand Albion a hard-fought victory at the Alex.
Albion: Clarke; Reynolds, Green, Day, Haughey; Rush, Sharp; Mannu, Jones (Collyer 72’), Robinson (Kirk 89’); Oakley.
Substitutes: Grimshaw, D.Jones, Arinze.
