West Bromwich Albion 6 – 0 WCWFC
Worcester City Women exited the FA Cup in the Second Round Proper after suffering a defeat against West Bromwich Albion at the Valley Stadium. A hat-trick from Rhianne Oakley and goals from Marli Rhodes, Ella Haughey, and Simran Jhamat sealed the Baggies’ win to see them into the hat for the next round.
City looked bright coming out of the blocks, with Annie Highway setting the tone straight away with an early attempt at a shot on goal. However, West Brom took the lead in the third minute through Marli Rhodes after Rhianne Oakley went one-to-one with City keeper Kirsty Bridgwater.
Despite City’s ongoing efforts, the Baggies got their second in the opening ten minutes, with Oakley adding her first to the score line. In an attempt to halt the blue and white side’s momentum in front of goal, City captain Jess Fassnidge made an excellent goal-line clearance to stop a shot from Izzy Green.
Following some good play from City, however, not creating any real opportunities on goal, West Brom made it three in the 31st minute. City were then forced to make a substitution through injury, with young defender Millie Robinson coming on for Jess Bate.
Eight minutes after the third, West Brom made it four. City made great efforts to claw one with a shot from Highway creping past the left post.
After the break, manager Matt Jones made half-time substitutions, bringing on Nerea Othick, for her first minutes with the First Team this season, and Keeley Crew, who scored last weekend after coming off the bench.
City stood strong and, despite being unable to hit the back of the net, stopped the Baggies from doing the same until the 60th minute. After City made their fourth substitution, with Holly Rogers replacing Leah Ritson, the home team made it five.
With fresh legs, City looked as if they could get on the scoresheet, and after great build-up play, Crew slotted it nicely for Chloe Bellamy to the right of the box, but Siobhan Hodgetts-Still’s defense did well to clear the ball from under Bellamy’s feet pre-empting her shot on target.
After City made use of their final substitution with Jacqueline Corazza coming on for Highway, West Brom got their sixth goal in the 76th minute, finalising their victory at Valley Stadium.
After a break next week, we head back into the league, away against Peterborough United, before returning to Sixways against Northampton Town on the 15th of December for our last home game of 2024.
Don’t forget, if you’d like to purchase hospitality tickets for that fixture, you can do so below.