With 2022 coming to a close, it seems the perfect opportunity to look back at some memorable moments in another record-breaking chapter for Peterborough United Women, which saw survival in the FA Women’s National League in their debut season and reaching the third round of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup for the first-time in the club’s history.
Last-minute drama in Vitality Women’s FA Cup
One of the highlights of the first half of the 2022/23 campaign for the Posh Women has been the FA Cup journey, so it’s no surprise to see that featured in the next two memorable moments from the past year.
After breezing past Mansfield Town Ladies in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup, their next opponents were a visit from league leaders Stourbridge Women, who had initially beaten Dan Lawlor’s side 4-0 earlier in the season.
Defender Niamh Connor got Posh off to the perfect start at the Abbey Lawn, rising highest from Kayleigh Aylmer’s corner to head home the opener on the stroke of half-time. However, The Glassgirls fought back in the second half and grabbed the equaliser on 78 minutes via Hannah Fishwick.
The game went into extra-time and looked destined to be heading to penalties, until captain Keir Perkins stepped up to create history for Posh Women in this competition in the 120th minute as her lofted effort from the edge of the box dropped into the back of the net, sparking celebrations on the pitch.
The goal sealed a momentous victory for Posh Women, progressing past the second round of the FA Cup for the first-time in their history.
The comeback against Sporting Khalsa
Next up in the FA Cup was a trip to The Guardian Warehousing Arena to face Sporting Khalsa, who were sitting in second-place in the league at the time, in the second round of the FA Cup.
Things didn’t go to plan in the first-half, and arguably against the run of play, Sporting Khalsa broke the deadlock on 29 minutes after an unfortunate slip from Evie Driscoll-King allowed Olivia Woolston to advance through on-goal before slotting the ball past Neive Corry.
As the game entered the final 15 minutes, Posh came to life and found the all-important equaliser as Jess Driscoll’s ball over the top set Perkins through and her lofted effort found the back of the net.
Momentum was on Lawlor’s side in the closing stages of the game, and with just five minutes to go, Driscoll grabbed the winner as she drove into the box, skipping past two defenders, before sending a low-driven effort to the near-post.
That goal secured Posh Women's place in the third round of the FA Cup and saw them drawn against Barclays Women’s Championship side Durham Women, which is scheduled to take place on 8th January at the Abbey Lawn (1pm).
