Posh Women secure their spot in the next round of the Women’s FA Cup after an emphatic victory.
Rosie Axten netted a hat-trick in an emphatic victory over Cambridge City Women at The New Croft as Peterborough United Women booked their spot in the First Round Proper of the Women’s FA Cup.
Keir Perkins and Evie Driscoll-King were on hand to grab a brace while Katie Middleton, Renai Bennett, Megan Lawlor put their names on the scoresheet in what manager Dan Lawlor called a ‘ruthless’ performance to progress into the next stage of the competition for a fourth consecutive campaign.
Posh were quick out of the traps at The New Croft as Axten’s lofted cross found Perkins at the back-post, but her header was deflected wide. However, the deadlock was broken from the resulting corner, Megan Lawlor’s corner was low and fired home on the half-volley by Driscoll-King just outside the six-yard box.
The Lilywhites looked for a quick response, Rebecca Stephson pipping Niamh Connor in possession before advancing towards goal, but she dragged her effort wide. Axten made it two goals in two games just after the quarter-hour mark as Perkins latched onto a long-ball from Connor and her cross was met by Axten, poking home from close-range.
It became three just a few minutes later as Sophie Scargill played a lovely ball out wide to Middleton, she advanced into the box before cutting inside, firing her left-footed effort into the roof of the net. Scargill went close to adding to the tally but her shot went narrowly wide of the far-post.
The hosts pulled a goal back just after the half-hour mark as Jess Wood found Jade Barrett just inside the area and she sent her effort past Neive Corry. Libby Fraser looked to build on the momentum for The Lilywhites, but her effort from distance went over the bar.
Middleton and Perkins forced Megan Fracy into a good save before the latter reinstated Posh's three-goal advantage on 37 minutes, Ellie York’s cross landing to the feet of Perkins and she slotted home via the inside of the post.
Posh added a fifth just before the break as the host failed to clear the ball, Lawlor won possession back inside the box and fired her effort into the bottom corner. Within 30 seconds of the restart and Perkins grabbed the sixth - her second of the afternoon - Jess Driscoll regained possession before playing it behind to Perkins, who converted from a tight angle at the near-post.
The Lilywhites cut the deficit on 55 minutes as they converted from close-range on the rebound after Corry was called into action, getting down low to save a free-kick from the edge of the box.
Axten netted her second of the afternoon just before the hour mark as she received the ball on the edge of the box and curled her effort into the bottom corner. Lawlor made a triple change on 64 minutes, including the introduction of Renai Bennett and she made a quick impact off the bench.
Bennett was picked out by Axten and, from around 25 yards out, struck a powerful effort on the half-volley - netting her second goal in two games. Driscoll-King grabbed her brace on 76 minutes, with Bennett involved once again, as her corner was side-footed home on the volley by the defender.
Axten secured her hat-trick on 78 minutes, reacting quickest to a loose ball after the goalkeeper dropped York’s cross, converting from just inside the area into the empty net and rounding off a comfortable afternoon for Posh.
Posh XI: Corry, York, Mugridge, Connor, Driscoll-King, Driscoll (Brown, 64min), Scargill, Lawlor (Bennett, 64min), Middleton (Lacite, 64min), Axten, Perkins.
Subs Not Used: Guy.
Photo Credit: Ruby Red Photography