Words Ben Edwards | Pictures Freya Richards

It is the biggest game in Altrincham FC Women’s history, as they partake in the first round proper of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup for the first time in club history, travelling a couple of hours up the M6 to take on Penrith AFC Ladies, this afternoon (KO 2pm).

The Robins’ road to this stage began in first round qualifying, defeating Macclesfield FC in a thrilling 6-3 encounter, with strikers Kira Saycell and Georgia McKnight both netting braces.

Next up was a trip to Atherton LR, and again it was Saycell and McKnight on the
scoresheet, between them they netted three times in the opening 18 minutes. The
former opened the scoring after 11 minutes, before McKnight scored a quick double.

The hosts pulled a goal back before the interval and had the better of the second half,
but it wasn’t until the game entered added time that they scored and despite a late
penalty appeal, Alty hung on for a 3-2 win.

The third round qualifying was the furthest Altrincham had reached in the competition, and the same was true for their hosts Stockton Town.

Daryll Abrahams’ side weren’t going to stop there, though. In a difficult, tense affair in
blustery conditions, McKnight found the only goal of the game just two minutes after
the break.

Goalkeeper Olivia Kaleta was forced off with a concussion injury, with left-back Isabella Moss maintaining a clean sheet in between the sticks for the final 15 minutes, creating history and helping her side into the hat for the first round proper.

After the game, a delighted Abrahams said: “I thought it was a scrappy game, however I thought our girls dealt with every scenario and situation perfectly.”

Altrincham are enjoying plenty of success in other competitions too, as they enter the
Penrith tie with lots of positive momentum and an eight-game unbeaten run.

Most recently, they picked up a 2-1 victory, which could have been a lot more comfortable, against Wilmslow Albion in the Cheshire FA Women’s Cup. They’ll now travel to Sandbach United in the quarter final on Sunday, November 16.

U18 goalkeeper Izabela Kleinszmit started that game between the sticks, providing
Abahams confidence that he has two goalkeepers to choose from against Penrith,
having witnessed the effect of losing Kaleta previously.

As for Penrith, they had hugely convincing victories to get to the first-round proper,
defeating Boro Rangers and Carlisle United 15-0 and 5-0, respectively. Their third qualifying round tie was much more closely fought, picking up a 3-1 home win against Blackpool F.C.

Penrith and Altrincham both compete at the same level of Women’s football, the
North West Women’s Regional League, with Alty competing in Division One South and the hosts in Division One North, so both sides will fancy their chances of progression.

When it comes to league action, Penrith have had a decent start, winning four and losing three. Last weekend, they were victorious 6-4 against Haslingden, with Kayleigh Wharton picking up four goals.