Albion Women secured their place in the Birmingham County FA Challenge Cup Final after a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday.
A second goal in as many games for Ali Miller was enough to overcome a youthful Villa outfit at the Valley Stadium.
Siobhan Hodgetts-Still made three changes to the side that beat Stourbridge in midweek. Second-half substitutes Ella Haughey, Simran Jhamat and Seren Watkins were restored to the XI – the latter being named captain.
The hosts enjoyed a storming start when Miller met Marli Rhodes’ cross with a downwards header, handing the home side a well-earned early advantage.
Scorer almost turned architect just prior to half-time, as Miller’s ball was turned into Liv Rabjohn's path by defender Olivia Lowe, however the Baggies midfielder couldn’t quite convert.
Some solid defending from Taylor Reynolds and Izzy Green gave Villa little hope of an equaliser, before Rabjohn and Jhamat forced a sprawling double save from Soffia Kelly.
The Baggies couldn’t muster a second, but held their nerve to keep an excellent clean sheet and go through
Albion are next in league action on Sunday, March 9 against Rugby Borough - who they’ll also face in the BCFA Challenge Cup Final.
Albion: Miller; Reynolds, Green, Oliver, Haughey; Watkins, Evans (Orthodoxou 83’); Rabjohn, Jhamat, Rhodes (Mahmood 58’); Miller.
Substitutes: Johnson, George, Janny.
