Words Ben Edwards | Picture Freya Richards

Altrincham FC Women 2 Wilmslow Albion 1

In wet and windy conditions, Altrincham Women progressed to the last eight of the Cheshire FA Women's Cup with victory over Wilmslow Albion Women at Partington Sports Village on Sunday, October 19th.

Daryll Abrahams’ side came from behind at the interval to claim a 2-1 victory, though the chances afforded to the Robins meant it should have been a lot more comfortable.

After the game, Abrahams said: “It was a frustrating afternoon for the team because we had so much possession of the ball and so many opportunities, but the ball just wouldn’t go in.”

Milla Jacobson looked a constant threat on the right wing for Altrincham, and her exquisite ball found Kira Saycell, who finished well inside the penalty area, but was deemed offside.

Under-18s shot stopper Izabela Kleinszmit had deputised for Olivia Kaleta in the last league game, due to a concussion injury ruling out the number one, and she was again given a start.

Her ball upfield after 22 minutes was pounced upon by Jacobson who beat two players and found Saycell in behind. The cut back picked out Emily Rutter, who curled the ball into the bottom right corner, though for a second time it was ruled out for offside.

Four minutes later, the visitors opened the scoring massively against the run of play.
Wilmslow made something out of nothing on the byline, as a cross from the right picked out Holly Stokes, whose first time finish flew into the bottom right corner.

Despite the scoreline, Altrincham were able to carry the positive momentum from the
first half into the second, finding the equaliser after 65 minutes. Jacobson danced into the penalty area after a short corner. Her shot was blocked, though following a scramble in on the six-yard line, Saycell was on hand to slam home at the back post.

The Wilmslow goalkeeper had an excellent afternoon and certainly played her part in
keeping the score to just 2-1. She produced an outstanding double save initially from
Saycell and then Millie Kullu.

A minute later, Matilda Whitehead headed over from an outstanding Jacobson corner. The visitors immediately looked to counterattack and Kaleta, who was given the final half-an-hour in preparation for Sunday’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup tie at Penrith, produced her first and only save of the game, and it was a superb stop one-on-one.

The winner came with just 12 minutes remaining. Saycell left the ball knowing she was in an offside position, and Kullu latched onto it, rounding the goalkeeper and scoring her first goal since making her debut last month, having impressed during the early part of the season for the Elite/Under 18s team.

Opportunities to add more goals were plentiful for the hosts. Nevertheless, the Robins did enough to progress, as they travel to Sandback United Ladies in the quarter-finals on Sunday, November 16th.

Before then, however, Alty Women have the biggest game in their history, partaking in the Adobe Womens FA Cup First Round Proper for the first time. They’ll travel to Penrith AFC Ladies on Sunday, October 26.