Albion Women head coach Siobhan Hodgetts-Still described her side’s 2-0 Adobe Women’s FA Cup third-round win over Cheadle Town Stingers as a “professional performance”.
The Baggies surged to a two-goal advantage in the first-half, as strikes from Taylor Reynolds and Seren Watkins pushed the hosts into a commanding position.
Hodgetts-Still’s side stood firm to grind out a tough victory and secure progression into the next stage of the tournament, which she says is a testament to the character of her team.
“I want to start by giving credit to Cheadle,” Hodgetts-Still said. “I thought they came here, brought the game to us, and made it very difficult.
“It was a really solid performance and a professional performance from the players. We said that at the start of the game, Cheadle would come and make it difficult and be aggressive.
“They were and our players rose above that well and competed. The conditions weren't great but it was the same for both teams, and we had to get on with it. I'm really happy that the game went ahead. Let's see who we get in the next round now.
“These are the games that you want to play - big games against big teams and good sides. We’ll be watching at 7pm to see who we get. We’ve got our fingers crossed for a good draw.”
Attacking midfielder Phoebe Warner agreed, adding: “I think it was a physical game. I think we battled the conditions really well.
“It was quite windy, but we got the ball down and we focused on ourselves, and I think it was a really strong performance from us.
“The weather and the conditions are things that you can't control. What we could control was sort of getting the ball down and just playing our game. I think we did that.”
Midfielder Watkins grabbed her first Baggies goal in emphatic fashion, volleying with the outside of her boot into the top corner on the stroke of half-time – a moment she will treasure.
“I just thought smash it,” Watkins said. “It's one of them where if you hit it clean it goes in, or if you get it wrong it goes out of the stadium.
“I'm just glad to have caught it well and I'm happy to get my first goal. I don't score many but when I do, I like to score good goals, so I’m happy.”
The Baggies are next in action on Sunday, December 15, where they host Black Country rivals Wolves in the Birmingham County FA Challenge Cup.
