Lucy Atkinson’s hat-trick saw AEK-Boco into the next round of the Vitality Women's FA Cup on a dramatic day of first round qualifying action.
AEK-Boco got the better of Chipping Sodbury Town to reach second round qualifying with a 4-2 win, with Atkinson's treble adding to Jess Titcomb's opener.
Atkinson scored her first with a superb finish to put the Boco back in front after Chipping Sodbury had levelled the tie.
She got her second shortly after, and her third came just 15 minutes later, meaning that a late Chipping Sodbury Town consolation goal did not influence the result.
🏆 FULL TIME 🏆
— AEK-BOCO LADIES (@aekbocoladiesfc) September 12, 2021
The Ladies come away victorious with a 4-2 win VS @TsodsLadiesfc 💪🏼
Outstanding performance from all the girls today, left absolutely nothing out there, passion, commitment and determination wins the game 🙌🏼 @PaultonLadies see you soon ⚽️ #inthehat pic.twitter.com/xQznU3stqL
That was just one of several topsy-turvy encounters on first round qualifying weekend, with Louise Wilson scoring a brace as Ripon City beat Hepworth United 3-2.
The North Yorkshire side were helped on their way by Wilson’s double and a goal from Chloe Beth at Mallorie Park.
There was one of the great Cup comebacks at the Broken Cross Pavillion where Macclesfield Town beat Pilkington 6-4 to reach the second round qualifying.
The hosts had gone 4-1 down before launching a remarkable comeback and score five unanswered goals in the tie.
Wow what and incredible performance from our women 1-4 down to finally come through as 6-1 Winners in the Vitality Womens FA Cup. 👏⚽️ pic.twitter.com/kNIDIDxUID
— Macclesfield Town Ladies FC (@MacctownLFC) September 12, 2021
Paulton Rovers also got through a high-scoring tie though they needed penalties to get the better of Downend Flyers, prevailing 5-3 from the spot after the match had finished 3-3 at the end of normal time.
Meanwhile, Chichester City won 3-1 on penalties against Montpelier Villa after a 2-2 draw, AFC Acorns won 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw with Leatherhead and Bugbrooke St Michaels beat Rugby Town 5-4 in a great shootout after an even better 4-4 thriller.
There were high-scoring contests across the board, with Salford City Lionesses beating Curzon Ashton 5-4 at home to progress, while Boro Rangers scored a hatful in their 8-3 win at Thornaby.
S C E N E S 🎉
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) September 12, 2021
The Lionesses earn their first ever win in the @VitalityWFACup 🏆 #WeAreSalford 🦁🔴 pic.twitter.com/QXexVNfytg
Hartlepool Pools Youth put in a convincing performance against Birtley Town to come away 5-2 winners away from home, and Gloucester City performed to a similar standard to beat Weston Super Mare 3-2.
Eastbourne United enjoyed an away day to remember as they beat Hassocks 4-0 to progress to the next round, and Caversham United were equally impressive in their 3-1 win against Warminster Town.
There was another impressive performance from Badshot Lea, who beat Burgess Hill Town 4-0, and Garston put in a fine display away from home to beat Wootton Blue Cross
A total of 418 clubs will be involved in the Women's FA Cup this term, with 182 of them in action in the first round qualifying.
The winners of Sunday's ties will progress to join 50 clubs who enter the competition at the second round qualifying stage, which will take place on Sunday 3 October.
There's also £400 for winning clubs in the first round qualifying, with losing clubs collecting £100 while the second round qualifying sees £450 and £115 up for grabs for winners and losers respectively.
