Wigan Athletic kept their cool during a close penalty shootout against Chester to ensure their Women’s FA Cup journey continued in the first qualifying round.
The Latics drew 2-2 at the final whistle, Ciara Lee opened Chester’s account after three minutes before Kira Saycell and Avilla Bergin scored in the second half to see Wigan take the lead.
Katie Kelso levelled the tie for Chester with 12 minutes remaining to ensure it went to penalties.
Both sides had a nervy start to the shootout, with the first two spot kicks missed, but Wigan held their nerve from there on and secured a place in the second qualifying round with a 4-3 win on penalties.
MSB Woolton also claimed a 4-1 victory on penalties, after a six-goal thriller with Colne ended all square at 3-3.
Shrewsbury Up & Comers survived a second penalty shootout of their Women’s FA Cup campaign after besting Whitchurch Alport 4-1 on spot kicks, Shrewsbury advanced into second round qualifying after neither side scored in regulation.
Andover New Street progressed with a 3-2 win, after opponents Windsor & Eton had fought back to level at 2-2.
Aimee Davis and Summer Williams gave New Street the lead into the break, before Violet Sculley and Ruby Harris scored for the hosts to equalise, with the end-to-end match decided by Becca Screetch’s finish from a tight angle.
Milton Keynes Irish defeated Leyton Orient 5-1, the Tier 7 side beating the Tier 6 O’s away from home to continue a stunning debut run.
Wells City Ladies took their place in the next round with a 3-2 victory against Ridgeway as Ceyda Fowdrey scored twice in the second half, helped by Chloe Demouy’s earlier goal which gave Wells a 1-0 lead at the break.
Freya Kelly’s finish was enough to separate Badshot Lea from Burgess Hill Town 1-0, meanwhile, spectators in Hatfield were rewarded with nine goals as Clapton defeated AFC Welwyn 6-3.
Hyde United and Mangotsfield United hit double figures, winning 10-0 and 13-2 respectively against Burscough and Hereford.
Second round qualifying will take place on Sunday 20 September, with Tier 5 regional premier division sides entering the competition.
Catch up on all the results in first round qualifying here.
