RIANNA JARRETT scored a double on her debut as Albion beat Crystal Palace 3-0 tonight in the Women’s FA Cup fifth round.
The Republic of Ireland ace was on target in each half before making way after 72 minutes with the Seagulls 3-0 ahead and en route to a home quarter-final clash with fellow Women’s Super League side Birmingham on March 15.
Ini Umotong was also on the scoresheet in a convincing win at Bromley against the Championship underdogs.
Head coach Hope Powell rung the changes as expected from the side that lost 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday in the Women’s Super League.
Only Danique Kerkdijk, Emily Simpkins, Maya Le Tissier and Aileen Whelan remained in the team as Powell gave players game time.
The Seagulls made the early running and Dane Matilde Lundorf fired straight at Palace keeper Lucy Gillett after five minutes.
Championship Palace were exposed again seven minutes later when good build up involving Lundorf again along with Whelan and Umotong ended with an off-target Kate Natkiel strike.
Recent signing Jarrett did find the target two minutes later though as she sent a strike looping past Gillett.
Jarrett double her tally in quickfire fashion after the break.
Only 36 seconds had elapsed when she headed home a cross from midfielder Simpkins at the near post.
Striker Umotong, who was on target in the previous round against Aston Villa, put the game out of sight in the 69th minute after some some superb footwork and an outside of the boot finish.
The win equals the club’s best run in the competition when they reached the last eight in the 1993/94 campaign.
Albion: Walsh, Lundorf, Kerkdijk, Le Tissier, Roe; Bennink, Simpkins (Nokuthula 80), Whelan, Natkiel; Jarrett (Green 72), Umotong. Unused: Cheeseman, Barton, Williams, Bowman, Nilden.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel