Albion Women secured a dramatic penalty shootout win over Northampton Town to ensure their progress through to the next round of the FAWNL Cup.
The Baggies were made to work for their win at Ray Hall Lane, as the Cobblers came from behind twice and went ahead in extra time on the way to penalties.
Simran Jhamat scored twice and Ellie May added to her tally before Albion won 3-2 over the course of the shootout.
Head coach Siobhan Hodgetts-Still made several changes to the side that beat Stourbridge in midweek. Shan Turner was handed a debut in goal, while Mariam Mahmood, Seren Wakins, and Rhianne Oakley were recalled to the XI.
The Baggies started quickly as Mahmood danced into the penalty area before hitting a deflected strike just over the bar. Northampton soon responded as a fine reflex save from Turner kept a powerful effort from Jemima Footitt at bay.
The visitors came close to taking the lead but were denied from the penalty spot by an excellent low stop from Turner.
As the second half came, Albion soon sparked into life, Phoebe Warner roved into the penalty area before planting a shot just wide of the post. Jhamat broke the deadlock not long after though, glancing a glorious headed effort over the goalkeeper to give the Baggies an opener.
A second goal almost followed as Ash Brown beat her defender for pace before chipping an inviting cross towards the back post. Mahmood rose to meet it, but directed her header the wrong side of the upright.
The Cobblers equalised despite Albion’s dominance in the second period through Amber Pearson, who finished off a swift break for the visitors.
Albion replied almost instantly as extra time began. Debutant Millie Pullen played a delicate one-two with Mahmood before sliding across to Ellie May for her third goal in two games.
The visitors once again had an answer, this time through Mia Richards, before Jade Bell made Baggies’ task even more difficult with a strike deep into extra time.
Still with time for another, Jhamat took advantage of a scramble in the box before hitting a looping volley over the goalkeeper to take the game to penalties.
The Baggies eventually prevailed, as their spot-kicks finally got the measure of the stubborn visitors, securing passage into the second round.
Albion Women: Turner, Brown (Whittick 91’), Reynolds, Evans, George; Watkins, Warner; Jhamat, Mahmood, Oakley (Pullen 70’); May.
Substitutes: Miller, Harris, Davies.
Albion shootout order: Mahmood – Scored. Warner – Saved. George – Miss. Watkins – Scored. Jhamat – Scored.
