Boldmere St. Michaels Women 1 Newcastle United Women 2
Bridget Galloway's last-gasp goal sent Newcastle United Women to the next round of the FA Women's National League Cup on Sunday, after the Magpies came from a goal behind to beat Boldmere St. Michaels Women 2-1 at the Trevor Brown Memorial Ground.
Galloway's strike was her seventh in just five matches for Newcastle, having arrived from Durham Women in the summer.
Becky Langley's side started the match on the front foot and almost took the lead within just three minutes, when Cara Milne-Redhead rattled the post with a long-range strike.
The early pressure continued, with Jasmine McQuade being found by Katie Barker before the midfielder's effort was thwarted by Jode Whiteman.
The hosts' goalkeeper was again on hand to deny Barker soon after, clawing away her goalbound strike.
The remainder of the first half was scrappy to say the least; Becky Ferguson's effort hitting the side-netting provided some optimism for the Magpies on the stroke of half-time.
It was more of the same after the break, with Anna Soulsby being expertly found by Ferguson before her half-volley was stopped by Whiteman.
Then, against the run of play, Boldmere St. Michaels took the lead through Gabby Maia, who beat Grace Donnelly to edge her side ahead.
Langley's side were not down for long, though, and Milne-Redhead hauled them level with a well-taken curled finish from outside the box on 75 minutes.
The Magpies pushed relentlessly in the latter stages and, just when it looked as though the clash was heading to extra time, Galloway popped up once more with a crucial goal.
The match was soured somewhat for the hosts following Galloway's goal, as Jade Formanston was dismissed for a second bookable offence and home substitute Rhiannon Travers, who was on the sidelines, was sent off too. Goalscorer Maia had earlier been sin-binned.
The win means Newcastle will eagerly await the draw to see who they face in the next stage of the competition.
Newcastle United Women: Grace Donnelly (c), Olivia Watt, Jodie Bartle, Naomi Bedeau, Anna Soulsby (Tyler Dodds 58, Grace Boyes 90), Elysia Boddy, Cara Milne-Redhead, Hannah Greenwood (Georgia Gibson 75), Jasmine McQuade (Kacie Elson 65), Katie Barker, Becky Ferguson (Bridget Galloway 65)
Subs not used: None
Report by Joseph Nelson
Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock