National League side Stockport County eventually proved just too strong for Penrith AFC Ladies to progress to the second round proper of the Vitality FA Women’s Cup.
But that was after the Penrith side had given them a scare, showing their own capabilities by actually leading 3-2 at half time.
Stockport managed to reverse the score line to win 7-3 with a powerful second half display.
Penrith, however, earned much credit and complements for the nature of their performance and could walk away from this exciting encounter with heads held high.
Manager Jamie Fitzwilliam said: “It’s disappointing that the FA Cup run has ended but the team have been fantastic throughout.
“The level of performance has been excellent and while Stockport proved a step too far, the team can be proud of their performances.”
When Stockport took an early lead in only the 6th minute it seemed that Penrith might have a very difficult afternoon ahead.
However the Cumbrians bounced back with three goals in 25 minutes to leave Stockport County rattled.
On 12 minutes Sarah Smith headed home from a Jess Nelson corner and then ten minutes later the same pair repeated the process to put Penrith in the lead.
On 36 minutes Penrith were in dreamland as Abbie Forster raced beyond the Stockport County defence and fired past the keeper to make it 3-1.
Penrith were desperate to get to half time with the two goal lead intact, however Stockport too were determined to get back in the game and did pull a goal back.
Early into the second half Stockport drew level after being awarded a soft penalty.
Stockport are a strong team and play two levels above Penrith AFC ladies in the National League One.
Into the second-half Stockport’s superior fitness levels, combined with their class, started to pay dividends and, as the Penrith team tired, Stockport were gradually able to take full advantage and pull away to record a comfortable 7-3 lead in the end
Captain Kim McCormick said: “At half time we really thought we had a chance of winning the game but credit to Stockport who really produced strong performance in the second-half when it mattered.”
Penrith : Lawson, Dudson, Grisedale, C. Smith, McCormick, Coulthard (Fawkes), Dixon (J. Forster), Harkness-Grant, A. Forster, S. Smith (Campbell), Nelson
Penrith took a Development side to play Blackpool development and lost 4-2.
The Cumbrians were out of the blocks quickly for this one as Bethany Cater opened the scoring in the first minute. Penrith continued to play well and squandered several opportunities before Blackpool equalised on 21 minutes
Almost immediately Penrith re-took the lead when the classy Chantelle Peart ran onto a through ball and lifted it over the keeper.
In the second-half Penrith were not able to maintain the intensity levels of their game and Blackpool gradually took control to run out 4-2 winners.
Development: Frizzle, I. Savage, Norman (Reekie), Bagshaw, Pollitt, Telford, Norwood, Carruthers, Cater (English), Peart, Dixon (David).
