Albion Women secured their passage into round two of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup by beating Solihull Moors at Studley Sports Centre on Sunday.
The Baggies scored three times without reply in the second period as Marli Rhodes, Zoe Creaney and an own goal helped seal a spot in the second stage of the competition.
Manager Siobhan Hodgetts-Still made 11 changes to the side that was narrowly beaten by Burnley in midweek. Full-back Ellie McFarlane made her first competitive start for 741 days after recovering from an injury, while Rhodes was named in the XI for the first time this season.
The first half brought plenty of frustration for the Baggies, who had the majority of possession but were unable to break the deadlock. Forward Rhodes fired just wide early on, before winger Amya Hammond-McLean crashed a long-range strike against the post.
Simran Jhamat then tested Rubi Dawson from inside the six-yard box, but the Solihull goalkeeper stretched just far enough to tip the strike over the bar.
A much-needed opener came at the beginning of the second half. Rhodes won the ball from a Solihull midfielder midway inside the opposition half, spotted Dawson off her line and lifted an audacious effort into the back of the net.
The Baggies looked to assert their dominance on the tie from then on, as Jhamat’s cross was turned in by a Solihull defender to give the visitors a two-goal buffer.
Lavarna Johnson was able to maintain that advantage for her team moments later, making a crucial penalty save from Humera Ashfaq.
Defender Creaney then wrapped up proceedings, glancing home from a brilliant Olivia Rabjohn cross to secure a third for Hodgetts-Still’s side.
Albion could’ve added another to their tally when substitute Seren Watkins struck the bar from range, but the visitors were happy to settle for three goals and a place in the second round.
Albion: Johnson, Sharp, Creaney (Evans 73’), Heselden, McFarlane (Watkins 46’), Rabjohn, Jhamat, Kehoe, Hammond-McLean (Warner 73’), Sorrentino (Pullen 17’), Rhodes (Janny 67’).
Substitutes: Howard, George.
