Who doesn't love a Cup competition? The Reds kick off their FAWNL League cup campaign with this game at Houghton Main FC against Sporting Khalsa who play in the FAWNL Division One Midland and have had a similar start to the Reds, drawing at the weekend to get their first point of the season after 3 defeats

1' Game is underway
9’: Pass by Willson with her back to goal frees Csomor on the right side who’s cross narrowly misses an on rushing Barnsley head, 0-0
15’: Foye makes a determined tackle and immediately releases Pierrepont, who shimmies and plays a cross beyond for Csomor to attack, who fails to dummy the goalkeeper resulting in a goal kick
17’: Shot from 20 yards by Khalsa forward edges slightly wide of the post
21’: Free kick taken by Khalsa is effectively headed clear by Marshall
24’: Free kick right flank of own Half by Barnsley taken my Marshall flies beyond Khalsa defensive line, Shaw strikes on the half volley but edges just wide Great play, still 0-0
25’: GOAL: Barnsley midfielder Ashton with a screamer, making it 1-0
27’: Injury for Khalsa prompts a pause in play
32’: Shaw inside right dribbles past a defender and plays a lofted ball beyond the defence for Pierrepont to chase, but the on rushing goalkeeper clears just in time
34’: Shaw finds herself on the right side and carries towards the goalkeeper 1v1, but her shot is fired at the goalkeeper and cleared
36’: Millar makes a vital block on the edge of the box, bobbles back out to an onrushing Khalsa player who fires over the bar
40’: Myles whips in a great cross from the right flank, Watson aims to meet but fails to make a significant connection
45’: GOAL: Foye plays a ball down the left flank for Shaw to retrieve, who holds her nerve and slots home
45+2’: Shaw with incredible feet inside the box finds herself facing goal, she squares to Csomor who fires just wide

Half-time Reds are 2-0 up courtesy of Ashton's right boot and Shaw's composure in front of goal

45’: Second half kicks off
50’: Shaw plays Csomor in on goal but her shot is blocked by the keeper and goes for a corner which amounts to nothing
51’: SUB: Willson comes off to make way for Coe
62’: Pierrepont cross edges towards the goal but is claimed by the goalkeeper
68’: Pierrepont retrieves on the right side, cuts in and shoots but the goalkeeper saves
71’: SUB: Troake comes on for goalscorer Ashton
73’: Pierrepont runs down the right flank and from an angle fires, keeper saves and out for a corner
76’: Shaw through on goal, keeper comes out and saves but is hurt in the process
81’: Pierrepont released down the right side but her front post shot is saved
84’: So close! Marshall strike from under her feet fires against the crossbar
90’: Shaw played in bur her One v One is saved and then pushed away
Match ends 2-0 and Reds make it into the next round of the Cup.

Many thanks to AFC Pogmoor Under 12's today who were Mascots for our League Cup encounter v Sporting Khalsa. It was great to get a win for them