Albion Women suffered late heartbreak as they were defeated by Halifax in the FA Women’s National League North at the Marley Stadium on Sunday.
The hosts opened the scoring through Britt Sanderson, with Albion replying through Fran Orthodoxou 10 minutes from time, however, a last-gasp Lucy Sowersby goal meant Albion left West Yorkshire empty-handed.
Head coach Siobhan Hodgetts-Still made two changes to the XI that triumphed over Derby County last weekend.
Defender Lucy Newell came in for Isabel Green at the heart of the Baggies’ back-line, while Delphi Cole dropped to the bench - making way for Simran Jhamat.
It was Halifax who dealt the first blow, the ball ricocheting around the box before finding the inside of Sanderson’s boot, and she directed the ball into the bottom-left corner for the opener.
The attacking midfielder looked to continue the hosts’ momentum as she struck a free-kick over the wall, but Anna Miller was equal to it to deny them a second.
The tide soon turned in Albion’s favour, with Orthodoxou meeting a corner with a fierce effort which Niamh Deasy turned goalwards. But the Halifax defenders put their bodies on the line to deny her a second goal in as many games.
Albion’s pressure continued, Hannah George sending a corner onto the head of Jess Reavill who directed the ball downwards but agonisingly wide.
Hodgetts-Still’s side came out of the traps quickly as the second period began. Intricate passing on the edge of the Halifax area left Abi Loydon with the chance to shoot, forcing goalkeeper Becky Flaherty to tip around the post.
Simran Jhamat tried an audacious chipped effort from just inside the Halifax half, catching Flaherty off her goal line. But the Halifax shot stopper managed to pedal backward to claw the ball from under her crossbar and away to safety.
With 10 minutes left on the clock, Albion found a reward for their attacking efforts as Ashlee Brown broke into the penalty area, teeing up Orthodoxou to finish high into the net to equalise.
Unfortunately, it wasn't to be for the Baggies, as a late winner from Somersby left them with nothing to show from a performance which probably deserved more.
Albion are next in action on Sunday, February 18 against Wolves Women at the New Bucks Head in their Birmingham County FA Challenge Cup semi-final.
Albion: Miller, Reynolds (Brown 63’), Newell, Reavill, George, Orthodoxou, Loydon (Evans 90’), Jhamat, Warner, Mahmood (Cole 45’), Deasy.
Subs: Jones, Green.