Albion Women secured a spot in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup fourth round with a 2-0 win over Cheadle Town Stingers on Sunday.
The Baggies’ two first-half goals were enough to drive them into the ascendency, with Taylor Reynolds and Seren Watkins both on target in stormy conditions at Redditch United's Valley Stadium.
Siobhan Hodgetts-Still made four changes to the side that beat Worcester City a fortnight ago. Fran Orthodoxou and Seren Watkins paired up for the first time in midfield, while Ellie May and captain Hannah George were also restored to the XI.
The Baggies saw out a cagey opening to the game before taking the advantage on the half-hour mark. Hannah George flicked towards the back post where centre-back partner Taylor Reynolds slammed a deflected effort past goalkeeper Emma Bradley.
Albion soon added to their lead, courtesy of Watkins’ right boot. She met a clearance with a thunderous long-distance volley which nestled into the top corner to put the hosts in the driving seat heading into the interval.
The home side continued their hunt for further notches on the scoreline in the second period. May raced through on goal before having her effort saved by the onrushing Bradley.
Cheadle’s goalkeeper kept them in the game again shortly after, as Phoebe Warner’s long-range effort forced an acrobatic stop.
A frantic end to the game saw skipper George step in as a goalkeeper following an injury to Anna Miller, but that didn’t stop the Baggies from marching into the round four.
Albion are next in action on Sunday, December 15 when they host Black Country rivals Wolves in the Birmingham County FA Challenge Cup.
Albion Women: Miller (Green 90’); Brown, Reynolds, George, Haughey; Watkins, Orthodoxou (Evans 64’); Warner, Jhamat (Mahmood 76’), May; Oakley (Rhodes 83’).
Substitutes: Harris, Whittick.
Catch the WBA TV footage from our fourth-round triumph in the video below!
