WORCESTER CITY WOMEN are through to the second round proper of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup after beating Stamford AFC 3-2 away from home.
The side entered the competition in the third qualifying round, running out 2-0 winners over Redditch Borough.
City will hope they can go one better than last year, where they exited the competition in the second round - losing 3-0 to Milton Keynes Dons.
It was a back-and-forth game early on, with Worcester providing the initial pressure, before Stamford responded with two early shots at goal. The shots were well kept out by Alisha Hine between the sticks and Beth Marriot covering in and providing a goal-line deflection.
Stamford would go ahead and take the lead not long after, knocking one in from a corner.
City were keen to reel Stamford back in, opening up a barrage of shots on the Daniels' goal. Olivia Mitcham just missed out on levelling up the score, with her shot going over the crossbar. Annie Sime also came close from a set-piece, forcing Stamford's keeper to produce a strong save and tip her strike over the bar.
In the 37th minute, City were able to even up the score line. Mitcham was put through on goal by Jess Fassnidge, taking the ball and hitting it into the back of the net.
Despite momentum seeming to swing City's way, they would go down again just before the half time whistle blew.
After trailing Stamford for much of the game thus far, City needed to try something different in the second half. They came back out with three changes to their line-up, bringing on Annie Highway, Millie Robinson and Keeley Crew.
The change would prove to make all the difference as it was Highway who was ultimately able to tip the balance Worcester's way.
In the 57th minute, Highway broke through the Stamford defence after some solid build-up play, and draw the score level at 2-2.
There was a half hour period where both sides came at each other, trying to bag the winner, but both were unable to capitalise on their opportunities.
As penalties beckoned, in the 87th minute Highway was able to score her second and win the game for City, taking them through to the second round proper of the Adobe Women's FA Cup.
Worcester City Women's FC play next in an important game in The FA Women's National League against Barnsley - a side that sit above City in the mid-table.
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