Northampton Town Women were knocked out of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup by a 5-0 second round defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers at the New Bucks Head Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Cobblers played well against the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division leaders, but were unable to prevent their three-game unbeaten run from coming to an end.
Wolves controlled possession in the first half, Jo Daniel making a quick-reaction save from a close-range flick and pushing Beth Merrick’s 20-yard free-kick wide.
The hosts’ pressure told on the half-an-hour mark, Jade Cross finding the top corner from the edge of the area to open the scoring.
Merrick spurned a great opportunity when she volleyed a looping cross over from the penalty spot a few minutes later, but the lead was doubled before the break when Tammi George smashed a first-time strike home from long-range.
Despite trailing, there were still positives for Josh Oldfield and Liam Williams’ side to take from the opening 45 minutes.
The last action of the period was a Northampton chance, Jade Bell, who scored five goals on her debut last week, dribbling wide and having a low snapshot pushed away by Shan Turner.
Bell was in again early in the second half as she reached a ball over the top before ‘keeper Turner, but a defender recovered to clear.
Just as the Cobblers’ belief was rising, Wolves were awarded a penalty and Anna Morphet extended her side’s advantage from 12 yards.
Bell forced Turner into another save after the hour, volleying towards the top corner from Kim Farrow’s hooked pass after substitute Georgia Tear won the ball on the halfway line.
But the hosts added a fourth soon after when Ali Miller tapped in from a low ball across goal.
Northampton kept pushing until the end, sub Alex Dicks playing a one-two with Bell before seeing a low drive stopped by Turner.
Merrick fired home from long range to make it five late on, as Wolves progressed to the third round.
Overall, it was a positive performance from the Cobblers who stood-up to challenging opposition and managed to create a number of chances.
Oldfield and Williams’ side host FAWNL Division One North outfit Hull City in the second round of the Plate next week, their sixth consecutive cup fixture.
Cobblers: Jo Daniel, Zoe Boote, Sara Wait, Bianca Luttman, Abbie Brewin (sub Vicky Barrett 77), Favour Omenazu (sub Georgia Tear 46), Fay Noble, Rachael Mumford, Beth Artemiou, Kim Farrow (sub Alex Dicks 71), Jade Bell
Subs not used: TJ Warren, Abbie Reboul, Chloe Martin, Mia Richards
Photos: Clive Stapleton Photography