Albion Women completed a perfect FAWNL Cup group stage campaign with a 2-0 victory over Leafield Athletic on Sunday.
Early strikes from Phoebe Warner and Simran Jhamat saw the Baggies notch their second win in as many games at the Alexander Stadium and top Group N.
Manager Siobhan Hodgetts-Still made three changes to the side that beat Stoke City a fortnight ago. Goalscorer Fran Orthdoxou was restored to the line-up, while Orla Howard and Simran Jhamat were also handed starts.
Warner picked up where she left off against the Potters and grabbed her second in as many games at the Alexander Stadium after just eight minutes. The midfielder found space between two Leafield defenders and nodded past Colette Bell in the opposition goal.
Attacking midfielder Monique Robinson was the thorn in the visiting side throughout the first half, and after slotting a chance of her own just wide, she turned creator for Albion’s second. Some intricate play saw her with room to play Jhamat in for a tap in, which she gladly did, doubling the Baggies’ advantage.
Hannah George almost added a third with a speculative effort from range just before the break, but Bell was equal to it as she tipped onto the crossbar.
The second period brought more of the same, as Warner looked to score her second. In near-identical fashion to her opener, this time heading just over, before Robinson had a strike blocked inside the penalty area.
In the end, the Baggies saw out a well-earned victory with some resolute defending late in the game, ensuring they finished in pole position of Group N in the FAWNL Cup.
Albion: Howard, Reynolds, Green, George, Haughey, Watkins (Evans 59’), Orthodoxou, Warner (Hammond-McLean 59’), Jhamat (Kehoe 75’), Oakley (May 59’), Robinson (Pullen 75’).
Substitutes: Clarke, Sharp.
