Hull City Ladies secured a dominant win on the road against Tier 4 Stourbridge, to progress to the 3rd round of the FA Cup, for just the thread tie in their history
One of City’s furthest trips of the season, was back to a ground where they secured their first win back at Tier 3, 14 months ago. As with that trip, it was an early blitz that set the tone for the game
Maiya Akrill started things off, tapping home an instinctive finish after the Stour ‘keeper failed to hold a stinging Izzy Gigg shot at her near post. And the teenager was influential in the second – securing possession in the middle of the park, Akrill spun away from the challenges and played a delightfully weighted pass through the back line for Knight who just had to roll in her first of the afternoon
Then there was a wait. Not much happened until the end of the first half, until again Akrill Ade some magic. Ackroyd picked up the ball in the midfield and drove at the back line, picking out Maiya. At the second attempt she flicked the ball around the corner for Knight to slot in to the far corner
HT 3-0
City started the second half like a rocket (yes this is the high level journalism you have come here for). From kick off the ball was worked to the box, Gigg found Knight first time, but her stinging effort was excellently matched by Locke in the hosts goal – only to be bettered by a diving save from a curling Nicholson strike on the other side
From the resultant corner Knight swung in and evaded everyone but Jess Tugby-Andrew who stole the goal and secured her 4th of the season
30 minutes then passed. The journey and the pitch playing its part in a less-than-pretty performance where the ball just wouldn’t settle and allow for either side to create much, but for individuals mistakes. That was until Knight broke free down the right, cutting inside and picking out Gigg who soon her marker and tapped home for her second of the season
Knight then secured her hattrick. Again securing the ball on the right, this time the forward cut inside before rifling low to the near-side corner
Stourbridge got one back, a wicked strike from 25 yards that looped and dropped in to the top corner
Hope Knight still has time for her fourth. A lighting counter, and a low drilled finish at the near post to round off the afternoon
FT 7-1