Peterborough United Women have made it through to the second round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup after brushing aside Real Bedford at PIMS Park.
Peterborough United Women ended Real Bedford’s winning run to seal their place in the competition’s second round following an impressive afternoon at PIMS Park.
Jess Rousseau bagged a hat-trick and Niamh Connor sealed progression to the next round with a header late on with the second round draw taking place on Monday evening (7pm).
Posh started the better, but couldn’t make the pressure count, with Real Bedford having the early share of opportunities, both of which were well marshalled.
Jessica Stanford twice shot over as a reminder of a threat on the break, before Neive Corry was called into action at the other end to make the save low down to her right-hand side.
Chances started to dry up, but Kira Rai, who was the headline maker in the preliminary round, was played through down the right, looking to cut the ball back towards Rousseau, with the Pirates’ defender clearing up.
Posh were the dominant side, but it needed something special to break the deadlock, and it arrived on 41 minutes. ROUSSEAU fired low past the goalkeeper with a superbly struck drive from the edge of the box.
But we had no time to reset before the visitors pulled level. GAYLOR smashed home a free-kick from distance, bouncing between both posts before rolling beyond Corry’s reach.
ROUSSEAU was left with the simplest of tasks after the forward raced through shortly after the break, slipping the ball under Erica Beale to reinstall our lead. Racing onto a dropping ball, Lauren Wilshaw took the ball inside before shooting from range, but her effort went wide on the hour mark.
Niamh Reynolds then crossed for Rai, who was met with a golden opportunity in front of goal, but like Rousseau’s earlier effort, she couldn’t get the right connection on it.
Rousseau looked to turn provider next time around, playing in Reynolds, who only had shooting on her mind. Her left-footed effort went inches away from breaching the visitors’ goal for a third time, hitting the inside of the post and bouncing to safety.
One goal to the good, and there was no relaxing to be had with a good portion of the game still to go. Real Bedford was quick to celebrate what they thought was the equaliser, but the referee pulled play back for a foul in the approach play.
It was set up to be a tense ending, until ROUSSEAU put home our third to complete her hat-trick on what was a brilliant personal afternoon. On the goal, the visitors' keeper pushed away a neat cross to Stanford, who looked to power a chance towards goal, with our number seven pouncing to put us two ahead.
There was enough time left for CONNOR to add goal number four. The defender leapt highest to meet a corner from Wilshaw, stopping the visitors in their tracks for an eighth successive win in all competitions.
Posh: Corry, Driscoll-King (sub Osker 86min), Pitt, Connor, James, Reynolds (sub Bennett 86min), Stanford, Hines (sub Clarke 71min), Wilshaw (sub Meli 86min), Rousseau, Rai (sub Brown 65min). Unused subs: Hercik, Lawlor.
Half-time: Posh Women 1-1 Real Bedford Ladies
Full-time: Posh Women 4-1 Real Bedford Ladies