A last-gasp penalty from Ellie Jenkins settled a nine-goal Adobe Women’s FA Cup second round thriller in Chatham Town’s favour after a breathless encounter with AFC Wimbledon.
The Dons trailed 4-1 with half an hour to play but fought back to level with goals from Hannah Billingham, Ashlee Hincks and debutant Daisy McLachlan, who equalised in the final minute of normal time.
But there was still time for one more twist as Chatham were awarded a spot-kick in injury time and Jenkins held her nerve to send the third tier hosts through against their valiant visitors from the division below.
There were no shortage of upsets, one of which came at Liverpool Feds as FA WNL Division 1 North side Durham Cestria knocked out their FA WNL Northern Premier Division hosts, Faye Dale scoring the only goal of the game in the 54thminute.
Darwen, of the North West Women’s Regional League, also had a Sunday to savour as they knocked out Leeds United on penalties.
Jess Rousseau’s first-half opener for the Whites was cancelled out by Rachel Woods’ header on the hour mark and the Salmonesses won 4-3 on spot-kicks to advance to book their place in the hat.
Coundon Court were another fifth tier side to advance against higher-placed opponents, winning 2-1 at FA WNL Division 1 Midlands outfit Leafield Athletic.
There were no such problems for FA WNL Southern Premier Division high-flyers Ipswich Town and Portsmouth, who both enjoyed comfortable progress.
Lenna Gunning-Williams’ hat-trick helped the Tractor Girls to an 8-0 win at home to Sutton Coldfield while Beth Lumsden, Sophie Quirk and Georgie Freeland each netted twice in Pompey’s 7-0 victory at Ebbsfleet United.
Burnley were also big winners after finishing with a flourish against Alnwick Town. The score was 3-1 in the 80th minute but a late flurry, which included Brenna McPartlan completing her hat-trick, saw the FA WNL Northern Premier Division leaders ultimately come out on top 9-1.
Sarah Essam’s hat-trick helped Rugby Borough beat Solihull Moors 7-1 while Wolves were also ruthless in front of goal, putting seven past Peterborough United without reply as Amber Hughes bagged a treble. Newcastle United were 5-0 winners at Chorley.
West Bromwich Albion needed extra-time to get past Needham Market, Mariam Mahmood netting twice as the Baggies recorded a 3-0 win.
Derby County came from behind to beat Loughborough Lightning 4-1, Eleanor Ashton netting a double, while their East Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest are also in the draw for the third round after holding off a Sporting Khalsa comeback in a 3-2 win.
Norwich City produced one of the results of the first round, knocking out FA WNL Southern Premier Division leaders Hashtag United, but saw their run ended at home to Boldmere St Michaels as Pip Wilson’s 95th-minute winner sealed a 2-1 win for the visitors.
Luton Town won an all-fifth tier thriller 5-3 at Enfield Town while Millwall Lionesses were 2-0 winners against Bromley, whose fellow sixth tier outfit AFC Stoneham went down 4-2 at Plymouth Argyle.
Argyle are the only Devon side left in the competition after Exeter City were hit by a late show at Cheltenham Town, who trailed 1-0 after 87 minutes but turned things around to win 3-2.
AFC Bournemouth also left it late, Chloe Gilroy’s 92nd-minute strike sealing a 2-1 win at Swindon Town which sent the Cherries into the third round for the first time in their history.
Victorious teams will find out their next opponents on Monday - click here for full details ahead of the third round draw.
Picture courtesy of Nottingham Forest FC.
