Our women’s team made it an FA Cup double as they reached the semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over Birmingham City at St Andrew’s on Sunday.
A wonderful goal straight from a corner-kick from Poppy Pattinson gave Albion their desired opener before Danielle Carter scored from the penalty spot just a few moments later to give Albion a half-time cushion which they protected after the break, although Birmingham twice hit the woodwork.
Albion now face Manchester United, Chelsea, Aston Villa or Manchester City in the last four on April 16, with the draw for the semis due to take place on Tuesday between 9.15-10am on the BBC1 Morning Live.
Amy Merricks’s side had to defend in the early moments of the first half with goalkeeper Megan Walsh making some superb blocks to deny the hosts.
Albion reacted to this and began to settle into the first half more comfortably and offer some threats of their own.
Katie Robinson showed her usual pace down the right side to cause angst amongst the Blues' backline. She fired a ferocious ball towards the Birmingham goal, but keeper Lucy Thomas managed to get an arm to divert her effort away.
Albion built from this and Pattinson opened the scoring direct from a corner from the left which sailed over Thomas and into the top corner.
Two minutes later Brianna Visalli was brought down in the box and Carter calmly rolled the ball into the corner of the net to make it 2-0.
Birmingham went close to getting a goal back in the second half when Jade Pennock drove down the left flank and lifted an effort over Walsh, but the ball rattled off the crossbar and back into play where it fell invitingly at the feet of Charlie Estcourt, but Robinson read the danger and made a phenomenal interception to defuse the threat.
The hosts were frustrated by the woodwork again when Ashley Hodson’s strike hit the post.
There were four minutes of stoppage time and Birmingham desperately searched for a way back but Albion preserved a precious clean sheet and can look forward to battling for a place in the Wembley final.
Albion: Walsh, Pattinson, Fox, V. Williams (Morse 62), Bergsvand, Bance, Zigiotti, Connolly, Robinson, Visalli, Carter.
Subs not used: L. Williams, Stott, Kullberg, Sarri, Park, Ferguson.