SWINDON Town Women booked their spot in the FA Cup second round at the weekend following a 3-0 victory over Frampton Rangers Ladies.
Becky Donnelly netted the first of the afternoon before Steph Bent and Annie Colston added to the total after the break to ensure Swindon won a first-round tie for the first time since 2017.
Head coach James Lally made four changes to the side which beat Selsey narrowly in the League Cup. Elle Scott, Nat Goodright, Kat Bach and Ella Harries all made way in favour of Donnelly, Beth Kelloway, Tori Taylor and right-back Bent. Bach and Harries remained in the squad while Scott and Goodright dropped out.
Although Frampton were two divisions below Town, the Gloucestershire-based club began with a determination and desire to perform another Cup shock
But after weathering an early storm from the visitors, Donnelly ensured any early nerves would put to rest by getting on the end of a Helena Diaz-Butcher cross in the 12th minute, tapping in at the back post following a pass over from her opposite winger.
In a first 45 that featured very few chances for either side, Town were forced to make do with a one-goal lead as the referee’s whistle blew for the break.
Having recalibrated during the interval, Swindon maintained possession more efficiently at the start of the second half before Sky Hull was sent on for her debut after switching from Larkhall Athletic earlier in the week.
Shortly after, Town made it 2-0 as left-back Gipsy Viveash swung in a corner that right-back Bent finished off from close range in the 58th minute.
Town’s superior quality and fitness was beginning to show, and the hosts grabbed a third courtesy of Colston’s first of the day.
Donnelly ran past her marker down the left before crossing into the middle towards the clinical striker. Colston still had work to do but finished smartly past the Frampton goalkeeper prior to her withdrawal late on.
The 3-0 success put Town into the second-round hat, where Lally’s side was drawn at home to tier three outfit Plymouth Argyle.
Swindon will host the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division side across the weekend of November 27 for a place in the third round -at which point the FA Women’s Championship sides enter the competition.
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