Manager Ryan rang the changes, with seven alterations to the side that beat AFC Reading 5–1 the previous week. Jo Taylor and Lauren Gunzkofer were handed debuts, while Becca Wilson, Cara Badcock, Danica Shah, Evie Fallon, and Sarah Winfield all earned their first starts for the club. Captain Ellie Bradbury led the team out.

The Heathens flew out of the blocks and were rewarded in just the 5th minute. Some slick one-two passing between Cara Badcock and Danica Shah opened up the Tilehurst defence, allowing Cara to burst through and slot coolly past the keeper at the near post.

Flackwell piled on the pressure throughout the half, with Gee, Sarah, and Sam all going close, only to be denied by the impressive Tilehurst goalkeeper.

At the break, Ryan introduced Izzy Hathaway for Winfield and Elsie Hyde for Wilson. The Heathens again started brightly, with Hathaway’s goalbound effort blocked on the line amid strong appeals for handball. The referee waved play on before later showing Izzy a yellow card and a 10-minute sin bin.

The second goal eventually came in the 62nd minute, as Sam McKenzie unleashed a long-range strike that evaded the keeper. With the momentum fully behind them, Flackwell continued to press, and Cara doubled her tally soon after. Jo Taylor threaded a clever pass between the centre-back and full-back, which Cara latched onto and finished first-time into the far corner.

The scoring was rounded off late on when Hathaway returned from the sin bin to slot home with her left foot after an excellent cross from Elsie Hyde.

It may not have been the prettiest performance, but Flackwell Heath booked their place in the next round in style.

Next up, the Heathens are back on the road this weekend as they travel to Kingsclere for league action. Flackwell currently sit 3rd in the table with one win and one defeat, while Kingsclere will be looking to bounce back after a heavy 13–0 loss to Windsor.

Photo Credits: @jezz_takes_pics (Instagram)