Posh Women are into the second round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup after penalty shoot-out success at PIMS Park.
Peterborough United Women are into the second round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup after a late equaliser from Niamh Reynolds took the game to penalties, where Jake Poole’s side won 4-2 against Billericay Town Women with Hannah Dawbarn netting the decisive penalty against Tier 3 opponents.
Posh started well on the front foot as Meg Lawlor’s in-swinging corner was punched away on the goal-line by Aimee Watson. Keir Perkins dragged an effort across goal before Poppie Brown saw a shot deflect inches over the crossbar.
Watson tipped a long range curling effort from Reynolds around the post before Corry safely collected a speculative effort at the other end of the pitch. The visitors struck the crossbar twice late on in the first half as Jessica Francis-Weir and Beau Parker struck efforts from distance.
The visitors took an early lead in the second half as Abbi SMITH struck into the top right corner before Pursey hit the woodwork again. Posh looked to equalise as Perkins found Katie Middleton in space but she couldn’t keep her effort down.
Reynolds was cautioned for a foul after the hour mark before Driscoll-King’s cross was punched clear by Watson. Posh found an equaliser on 66 minutes as Lawlor’s delivery was met in the middle by Niamh CONNOR who headed into the top right corner. Poole’s side immediately looked to take the lead as Perkins drove forward before finding Kirk but her effort was blocked from close-range.
Billericay regained the lead with 15 minutes to go as Maddie BIGGS cut inside into the box before curling into the top right corner. Pursey was through on goal less than a minute later but Corry made a smart stop to deny the visitors the lead.
Deep into stoppage time, Posh found another equaliser as substitute Lauren Wilshaw’s cross eventually found REYNOLDS who slotted into the back of the net.
Posh started the penalty shoot-out strongly as Bennett, Reynolds and Driscoll-King all netted while Billericay missed their second spot-kick. Wilshaw saw her well-taken penalty saved by Watson before Corry showed good hands to give Posh the advantage with a fine stop diving to her left. Substitute Hannah Dawbarn stepped up and fired into the net to secure Posh progress into the second round.
Posh: Corry, Driscoll-King, Sharpe, Connor, Osker, Brown (sub Dawbarn 54min), Lawlor (sub Bennett 79min) Reynolds, Middleton (sub 79min, Wilshaw), Kirk (sub Bale 79min), Perkins. Unused subs: Bannerman-Lloyd, Meli, O’Niell.
Half-Time: Peterborough United Women 0-0 Billericay Town Women
Full-Time: Peterborough United Women 2-2 Billericay Town Women (Posh win 4-2 on penalties)
Attendance: 181
Referee: Sam Anderson