Albion Women secured top spot in FAWNL Cup Group N with victory over Sporting Khalsa at the Alexander Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Efforts from Jess Collyer and Monique Robinson on either side of half-time meant the Baggies progressed into the knockout stages at the top of their respective pool.
They also made it their sixth win in-a-row, and Charlie Fripp’s team return to league action to take on Derby County next Sunday (ko 2pm).
Ella Haughey set the Baggies’ stall out within the first minute of play at the Alex by flashing a dangerous strike just past the post.
Fripp’s side continued to turn the screw when Tara Kirk forced KJ Smith into a leaping stop from close range, and Riya Mannu ensured the Khalsa goalkeeper remained alert by fizzing in a long-range free-kick.
The early pressure told when Albion took the lead in the 20th minute. Collyer played a one-two before skipping past Megan Cann’s challenge to rifle home her third of the campaign.
Kirk had two further chances to put Fripp’s team further into the ascendancy, but after seeing one shot cleared off the line - she couldn’t put away the second as she steamed through on goal.
The second period followed a similar pattern for the hosts. Half-time substitute Robinson was brought down in the penalty area, leaving Oakley with the chance to slot home from the spot - but unfortunately for the Baggies, Smith guessed the right way to save.
It didn’t deter Albion from pushing for further strikes, though. Oakley forced Smith to save again, before Robinson at last secured their second.
The midfielder latched onto Haughey’s low cross, beating her defender to the ball to cap off a sumptuous move down the left-hand side - securing all three points in the group phase for the hosts.
Albion: Clarke; Reynolds, Green, Day, Haughey (Sharp 81’); Rush, Rabjohn (Robinson HT); Oakley, Mannu, Collyer (Lane 60’); Kirk (A.Jones 52’).
Substitutes: Grimshaw, D.Jones, Arinze.
