Aston Villa booked their place in the next round of the Women’s FA Cup thanks to a star performance from super-sub Olivia Fergusson.
Fergusson came off the bench to score one and help set up the other in Villa’s 2-0 victory over Premier League Northern Division leaders Sheffield FC.
The hosts started the game well with their best opportunity coming quarter of an hour in, when Sarah Mayling latched onto Katie Wilkinson’s excellent through-ball, but flashed her effort wide of the post.
At the other end Sheffield had a great chance on the break but Suzanne Davies’ header was saved comfortably in the end by Villa keeper Caitlin Leach after her defence had been caught out by the visitors pace.
Another chance went begging for Villa, fashioned through the pairing of Beth Merrick and Wilkinson who were instrumental in their attacking play all afternoon. A neat triangle between the duo and Kerri Welsh nearly brought about the first goal of the day, but Walsh’s shot was well saved by Claire Wallhead in the Sheffield net.
After the break midfielder Sherry McCue occupied a more attacking role for Villa as the WSL 2 side looked to break down their opposition’s resilience.
Although Merrick and Katy Moran went close, it was evident the game was lacking a spark so Ron Mellor made a double substitution, introducing Alicia Robinson and Olivia Fergusson.
It took just two minutes for Fergusson to make her impact, drawing a foul in the penalty area which left the referee with no doubt but to point to the spot.
Wilkinson dispatched the penalty with confidence to put the hosts 1-0 up, but Fergusson wasn’t finished there.
Three minutes later the super-sub made it two, firing home the rebound after her initial effort was parried by Wallhead.
Merrick, who had been fantastic all afternoon, then nearly grabbed the goal she so thoroughly deserved but her thunderous effort from distance was denied by the crossbar.
For all their chances and dominance, Villa nearly let the outfit from Steel City back in to the game when Sheffield captain Jodie Michalskia hit the bar, but thanks to some fearless clearances at the death from centre-back Jade Richards, Villa managed to hold on to their clean sheet and progressed in to the next round.
