Peterborough United added their second win over Notts County already this season to book their spot in the competition proper.
As happened before, County took a 1-0 lead in the game, but Niamh Reynolds’ penalty and a hat-trick in the space of five minutes from Kira Rai flipped the script.
Jess Rousseau wasted no time after coming on as a substitute, forcing the Magpies’ defender to turn the ball into the net to set up a round one tie in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.
In truth, County were miles behind on the afternoon, with Jake Poole’s side battling for every ball.
Kayleigh Hines and Reynolds’ efforts fell to nothing early on – but, on a rare move forward, Laura Vine put a dent in our stride with a finish past Hollee Hercik.
With a raft of chances in response to going behind, we quickly found ourselves level. Jessica Stanford and Evie Driscoll-King were both kept out by the County keeper before the midfielder made progress forward once more and earned REYNOLDS a chance to equalise from the spot, which she took.
Hayley James’ header then dropped over the bar, and then Emily Brett attacked at the other end, where Hercik saved low down to her side on her debut for the club.
It was RAI who launched us ahead on 49 minutes. A drilled, composed shot from the winger at the back post turned the game on its head. Brimming with confidence, RAI soon had her second after rounding Hind and finishing into the bottom corner.
RAI made a statement – adding her third, and our fourth of the afternoon, with a finish into the near corner.
The wind was taken out of the visitors’ sails, and with that, Jake Poole’s side had more room to manoeuvre forward, where ROUSSEAU forced chaos between the County defence to notch goal number five.
Driscoll-King crossed for Stanford, who popped up in space at the back post, but the midfielder lacked the necessary purchase.
The pressing – as it was all game – was relentless until the whistle blew over. Stanford won back possession in a deep area, but the County keeper did well to clear up in what was the last of the action.
Posh will learn their round one opponents on Monday, 6th October.
Posh: Hercik, Connor, Hines (sub Bennett 75min), Driscoll-King, Brown (sub Brown 75min), Reynolds (sub Clarke 61min), Stanford, Rai (sub Rousseau 61min), Pitt (sub Osker 75min), Wilshaw, James. Unused sub: Sharpe.
Half-time: Posh Women 1-1 Notts County Women
Full-time: Posh Women 5-1 Notts County Women