Albion progressed to the next round of the Women’s FA Cup following a dominant 7-0 victory against West Bromwich Albion at Keys Park, Hednesford on Sunday.
There were six different scorers to get Jens Scheuer’s side back to winning ways and give our new head coach his first win in charge.
Scheuer named Rebekah Stott in his starting XI for the first time since her return from surgery last year and Albion began the game with a momentum and clear desire to secure their place in the next round.
It didn’t take long for the team to fall into a threatening rhythm as Stott netted the opener with just six minutes played.
Albion put pressure on West Brom’s backline and Stott found some space within the congested box and then sent the ball rolling past goalkeeper Clark to secure an early advantage.
Katie Robinson then made a pacey break down the right side and found some space to swing a cross into the box, but she could only steer her delivery into the arms of Clark.
Geummin Lee made an intelligent run to chase the ball in the West Brom final third. She picked out Robinson pushing into the box and the youngster fired a ferocious effort on target, but again Clark managed to safely collect.
However, a minute later Julia Zigiotti netted Albion’s well-deserved second of the afternoon. Following a mistimed pass from the keeper, the skipper cleverly intercepted the ball to then drive forward and slid the shot beyond Clark to make it 2-0.
A third goal followed soon after. Danielle Carter sent a powerful shot towards the West Brom goal which Clark parried but the ball fell invitingly at the feet of Zigiotti who got her second to make it 3-0 at the break.
Veatriki Sarri and Brianna Visalli were introduced at the beginning of the second 45 as Scheuer looked to freshen up his side.
Albion’s backline remained alert to break down any threat West Brom posed while creating chances at the other end. Carter got on the scoresheet when she danced her way through the defence before firing past Clark to make it 4-0.
The fifth goal came after Sarri and Robinson linked up well to cause trouble. Sarri delivered the pass and Robinson scored with a right-footed shot.
Albion continued to hunt further goals and Visalli made it 6-0 with her first for the club. Jorja Fox assisted this time and the American took a deft first touch before sending the ball into the back of the net.
Substitute Kayleigh Green nearly scored another goal for Albion. After a sensational bit of play from Carter and Fox down the left, Fox curled in a superb cross to Green at the back post, but she was just unable to connect with the ball.
But in the dying seconds Fox made it 7-0 with another good finish to complete a satisfactory afternoon for Albion.
Albion: Walsh, Pattinson (sub: Visalli, 46), Morse, Stott, Bergsvand, Fox, Bance (Green, 63), Lee (Sarri, 46), Carter, Robinson (Connolly, 63), Zigiotti (Jarvis, 76).
Unused subs: L. Williams, V. Williams, Park, Symonds.