Words Ben Edwards | Picture Freya Richards

Altrincham FC Women continued to create history in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup with an outstanding 1-0 victory over Ponteland United Women in round two.

A heroic, battling performance in wet and windy conditions saw the Robins leave Northumberland with a place in Monday's third round draw secured.

The hosts enjoyed the majority of the first half, though the Altrincham defence stood firm to keep their clean sheet intact against the step five side.

It was Alty who had the first opportunity of the game though, as Elise Jones, returning from university where she is on dual registration with Nottingham, drove into the penalty area after some initial superb footwork by Ireyimika Bamigboye. Jones’ shot, however, was straight at the goalkeeper.

Isla Maggs had the best of the first half chances for Ponteland, heading onto the crossbar, before unleashing a decent effort from just inside the penalty area, though that went high and wide of the top right corner.

Kylie Holmes saw her attempted half-volley from the edge of the penalty area sail comfortably over. She then beat the offside trap, with shouts of handball waved away, finding herself one-on-one with Olivia Kaleta, who produced an excellent save to prevent the ball from nestling into the bottom left corner.

Rhian Rowe was the other player to come close for Ponteland in the first half, volleying a gilt-edged chance over the crossbar from just 10 yards out after 35 minutes.

Three minutes later, she tried her luck from 30 yards, though it was easily collected by Kaleta.

With the wind in their favour, Altrincham gradually grew into the second half, with top scorer Kira Saycell introduced at half time as she returned from a calf injury. Ponteland did have another couple of good chances within the first five minutes of the second period.

Their free kick wasn’t dealt with by the Altrincham defence, though Katie Monaghan fired wide of the right post. A dangerous cross from the right then found Holmes at the back post, who bundled the ball over the crossbar.

Nat Lowe nicked the ball off a defender towards the right-hand side of the 18-yard line, but her left-footed effort was disappointing and went wide of the left post.

In almost identical fashion, Lowe again stole the ball on the edge of the area, this time towards the left-hand side. This time, she had the finish to match, as again she used her weak foot, placing the ball into the back of the net at the near post, with five minutes remaining.

As they did all game, Altrincham defended with heart and desire for the final five minutes, seeing the game through and doing what many thought was unthinkable.

The Adobe Women’s FA Cup 3rd Round Draw will take place this evening at 7pm on the official Adobe Women's FA Cup YouTube channel, along with TNT and Channel 4 YouTube, with WSL 2 clubs now entering the competition.