Everton left it late to secure their place in the FA Women’s Cup quarter-finals, as Gabby George netted an extra-time winner to sink Bristol Academy with a 2-1 victory.
17-year-old defender George – a former Manchester United youth prospect – secured her side’s fate in the next round in the 111th minute, but it was the visitors who looked to possess a real danger during the ninety minutes.
Despite a tedious first-half, Nikki Watts struck the opener from the penalty spot just before the hour-mark for Bristol, and looked to have won the game for the Super League 1 side. However, a strike from Lucy Whipp 11 minutes from time saw the hosts force extra time at Select Security Arena, before George’s effort settled the tie.
With Lindsay Johnson bringing down Sophie Ingle in the box after 59 minutes, the Vixens looked comfortable in possession after commencing proceedings in the second half.
Goalkeeper Mary Earps performed well when called into action for Bristol, and the game looked set to see Dave Edmondson’s side soar into the last eight.
Nevertheless, the work rate of the Merseyside outfit saw substitute Whipp celebrate only her second goal for the club, to claw back the equaliser.
Bristol’s Watts then believed she had struck a late winner in the final minute of normal time – running through on goal only to see Megan Walsh draw an acrobatic save to keep her side in the contest.
The 2014 FA Cup finalists continued to battle ferociously after being handed a lifeline by their goalkeeper, and Walsh again kept her side in the game when denying Watts once more in extra-time – this time her left-footed effort saved before a supple volley was knocked to safety by the Everton number one on fine-form.
The Toffees had hoped to build on their impressive performance which saw them overcome Aston Villa, their first league game since their relegation last season, spurred on by the knowledge of their opponents recent 5-0 trouncing by German opposition Frankfurt in the Champions League on Saturday.
And as the Vixens’ keeper Earps was required to tip George’s curling attempt over the crossbar on the break up the other end of the field, the defender managed to collect a long ball, beating the Bristol defence, and slot past the helpless goalkeeper just a minute later to take all three points.
The Super League 2 side will now welcome Charlton Athletic in the quarter-finals on Sunday April 12.
