Words Ben Edwards | Pictures Jonathan Moore

Altrincham FC Women’s magical Adobe Women’s FA Cup journey continues on Sunday as they make a third consecutive long journey in the competition, this time up to Northumberland to take on Ponteland United Women (2pm). 

The prospect of progression to the third round is incredibly exciting, given that 12 teams from Women’s Super League 2 enter the competition. Whilst Alty are the only step six side remaining in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, with step seven side Leyton Orient also still going strong, the Robins’ will certainly fancy their chances, having avoided the step three and four teams.

Altrincham’s Cup run began at The J.Davidson Stadium, picking up a 6-3 victory over Macclesfield FC Women to reach the third qualifying round.

Though this was the furthest the club had ever got to, Abrahams’ side weren’t stopping there, earning a hard-fought 1-0 win away from home against Stockton Town in blustery conditions, thanks to Georgia McKnight’s second half strike.

The first round proper saw Alty travel to Penrith, where they started like a train, taking a 3-0 lead after just 33 minutes. The hosts did pull two goals back in the second half, though the Robins held out for an impressive 3-2 victory.

Having played three sides also at step six so far in the competition, Altrincham now have the chance to test themselves against higher quality opposition, with Ponteland competing in the Premier Division of the North East Regional Women’s Football League.

They’re undefeated in all competitions so far this season, though have only played four league games, winning three and drawing the other. They occupy fifth position.

Back-to back 4-1 victories against Darlington and Nantwich Town, respectively, saw Ponteland progress to the first round, where they faced fellow step five side Bolton Wanderers. It finished 1-1 after extra time at Chorley’s Victory Park, with the visitors coming out victorious on penalties.

In the lead up to the Ponteland game, Alty's Women faced two high-quality opponents: Crewe Alexandra in the Alliance Design and Print Cup and Runcorn Linnets in the North West Women’s Regional League Division One South.

Whilst the Crewe game ended in a 3-0 defeat, and Runcorn a 3-1 loss, it was a good experience for the squad, who similarly go into Sunday’s match as underdogs.

Most recently, however, the Robins secured an emphatic 9-1 victory against Sandbach United in the third round of the Cheshire FA Women's Cup. Though Sandbach took the lead in the fifth minute, Altrincham equalised through new signing Abbie Turner’s exquisite free kick.

Captain Nat Lowe gave her side the lead 10 minutes into the second half, before Altrincham went on a goal-scoring rampage, finding the back of the net on seven occasions in the final 20 minutes, with McKnight scoring a hat-trick in that time.

Missing from the Altrincham side were star striker Kira Saycell and Ash Jones, who are both struggling with injury.

You can listen to full match commentary on Sunday via Radio Robins on Radio Alty from just before 2pm.