Women's football round-up: Aston Villa exit League Cup after chaotic Second City derby
Frustrated boss Natalia Arroyo was left bemoaning a slow start and nightmare finish after Villa’s chaotic 3-3 Second City derby draw with Blues.
Villa fought back to two goals down in the League Cup tie with just 10 players after defender Lynn Wilms was sent-off for violent conduct, taking the lead when teenager Rachel Maltby fired home her first goal for the club in the 90th minute.
But having done all the hard work they then conceded a stoppage time equaliser when Batcheba Louis scrambled home for the visitors.
Blues then went on to claim a bonus point by winning the penalty shoot-out 4-2, with Villa’s exit from the Cup confirmed by Tottenham’s win over Bristol City on Sunday.
Arroyo, who will now be without Wilms for three matches following the red card, said: “It’s not an easy one to take but there were some bits to be proud of, the energy of the team.
“Hopefully we can bring this energy and fight to our next game, starting from minute one and not waiting until it is almost at desperation mode.
“I am sorry for the fans because I know the derby means a lot and we were not able to win it.”
Albion joined Wolves in the third round of the FA Cup thanks to a 2-0 win over Cambridge United at Alexander Stadium.
Ellie May fired the Baggies ahead in the first half, with Amya Hammond-McLean putting the tie beyond the visiting team’s reach in the second half.
Sporting Khalsa are also through following a 2-0 win over Hednesford Town though their boss, Juan Dopazo, had mixed feelings over the performance.
Ania Denham broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the second half before Skye Owen settled matters once and for all in stoppage time.
Dopazo said: “We got through and that was the main objective, so I am happy in that sense.
“In terms of performance, we did well in certain areas. We created chances but the ability to finish the play was not there.
“Fair play to Hednesford, they made it very difficult for us and defended well. But we lacked a few things and one of those was the hunger to score goals.”
Kidderminster Harriers are out after going down 4-0 at AFC Fylde, while Stourbridge were beaten 7-1 at the War Memorial by a strong Hull City side.
Tash Baptiste scored both goals as Lye Town beat Solihull Moors 2-1 to move up to third in the West Midlands League.
Baptiste was twice on the mark before the break and though the visitors pulled one back early in the second half, Lye held on for an important victory.
Chasetown won 8-0 at Whitchurch Alport in the only match played in Division One North while, in the South division, Halesowen Town drew 3-3 in a thriller with Crusaders
Lauren Thompson was on target twice for the Yeltz, with Imogen Butler also finding the net.
