AFC go out of Women's FA Cup at hands of Hemel

The visitors had the first effort when winger Amber Pearson bore down on goal, as keeper Ruth Gorin saved with her feet, while Danielle Carty’s free kick was headed over by Charlotte South.

However, the breakthrough came a minute later, as in Hemel’s first meaningful attack of the game, centre-forward Tara Hancock had her ankles clipped just inside the area, and despite the complaints from the AFC bench, a penalty was awarded.

Hemel’s Charlene Turturici made no mistake from the spot either, hammering the ball into the bottom left hand corner beyond keeper Hannah Payne.

AFC were close to an equaliser with the Carty/South combination again as the latter headed over, while Lori Wilson-Phillips, was just wide from a right-wing cross.

A rare home attack on 38 minutes saw Lorna Gover shoot over and then fire tamely at Payne, as her side went into the break 1-0 up.

After the interval, Hemel looked for a second as Natasha McConville floated a free kick just wide, while AFC brought on Rebecca Langthorne for Bethany Stanton.

Gover was over again from a promising position, before Hemel had the crucial second with 18 minutes left, Lea Haley chasing a lost cause down to cross for Hancock who deftly headed home.

South’s snapshot whistled past Gorin’s right post, while they visitors almost had a consolation, as South was denied once more by the home keeper.

AFC are in league action this weekend when they travel to Haringey Borough.

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