The Northampton Town Football and Education Programme Women’s squad lost 4-3 at home to Bromley in the National Football Youth League South Premier Women on Wednesday afternoon.
Mia Richards scored a brace and Keira Doig netted the Cobblers’ other goal as they were narrowly beaten in an end-to-end contest.
It took until the quarter-of-an-hour mark for the first chance of the game, Madie Winyard heading Alex Dicks’ deep corner wide.
The visitors opened the scoring five minutes later when a quick throw-in led to a cross that was turned home.
Richards equalised within seconds of the restart, Dicks charging down a clearance from the ’keeper which allowed the forward to volley into the half-empty net.
Dicks had two opportunities to put her side in front on the half-hour, forcing the ‘keeper into a diving save before almost lobbing her from the edge of the area.
But Bromley restored their lead on the stroke of half-time. Northampton were penalised for a handball in the box and despite a strong palm from Iona Smith, the ball went in off the crossbar.
The visitors doubled their advantage just 30 seconds into the second period, Smith punching a cross away only for an attacker to finish on the follow-up.
Richards pulled a goal back a few minutes later, placing a spot-kick into the roof of the net after Dicks was caught by the onrushing ’keeper.
An attacker stabbed in from close range as Bromley regained their two-goal cushion, but Doig latched onto a miscued clearance and bundled home on the line to halve the deficit again going into the final half-an-hour.
Richards came inches away from her hat-trick and a late equaliser, but her low shot across goal rolled wide as the Cobblers were unsuccessful in their search for a leveller.
Elsewhere, the Development squad lost at home to Plymouth Argyle in the NFYL South Central Championship, whilst the Elite team came from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 away to unbeaten Chippenham Town in the South Premier Division.
Cobblers: Iona Smith, Maddie Carter, Beth Artemiou, Mia Richards, Ruby Heselden, Keira Doig, Cassidy Flynn, Alex Dicks, Madie Winyard, Mia Paradise, Keeley Jackson
Substitutes: Ella Barber, Remi Martin, Ruby Oxley, Sophia Tennent, Phoebe Preston