Maria Rudd's side recovered from a 2-0 half-time deficit to haul themselves level and then win 5-3 on penalties at Woodlands against an Azure side that finished the game with only nine players.

Toni Lewis prodded Azure ahead before Jade Ovendale doubled the advantage midway through the opening period with a 25-yard thunderbolt.

But Ladies' player-manager Rudd's decision to send herself on as a half-time substitute paid dividends as she had a hand in both her side's goals, netted by Clare Knibbs and Donna Nicholls.

Azure keeper Laura Priddy made a host of other fine saves as Rudd's side moved in for the kill, but Ladies were reliant on a smashing late stop from Clare Ireson to ensure the game went into an additional half-an-hour.

Despite Hannah Stubbs hitting the bar and Ladies seeing two other efforts cleared off the line, Azure (who lost Katie Webb to concussion and Samara Iredale with muscle spasms) held on to force penalties.

But they couldn't prevent Ladies from powering through from the spot after faultlessly converting all five of their penalties.

Rudd said: "We didn't deserve to be two down at the break and it would have been seriously harsh if we had lost a game we dominated.

"Azure's young side battled hard throughout but it was experience that told in the end."

Ladies' reward is a home tie against Heathersett Athletic in the first qualifying round at the end of the month.

Azure boss Alan Sims paid tribute to his young aces.

He said: "When you consider we only had two girls over the age of 20 playing, it was not a bad achievement to hold a team of ladies who have been playing at this level for many years.

"But it is always disappointing to be knocked out of the FA Cup and we have to pick ourselves up."



A WHOLE host of local players have been selected in the Hunts Ladies squad for two upcoming games.

The county side are playing Cambridge United in a friendly on October 2 before travelling to face Essex in an East Anglian Counties Championship clash at Harlow Town on October 7.

Hunts squad: Sofia Aragosa, Jordan Biggs, Charlotte Binns, Jessica Evans, Chanade Henderson, Sarah Hudson, Aimee Sims, Katie Webb (all Peterborough Azure), Louise Nicholls, Elsje Van Es (both Peterborough Ladies), Amanda Godfrey, Stephanie Day (both Huntingdon), Jeanne Becker (Stamford), Angharad Carlton (Buckden), Louise Fensome (Bristol), Laura Griggs (Hampton), Emily Ingle (Cambridge City), Nicola Kuch (Aston Villa), Vicky Lines (Cambridge City), Jema Payne (Eaton Socon).



DOUBLE-WINNING Deeping Diamonds Blacks Under 12s launched the new Fenland League season with a big win.

Deeping actually fell behind to newly-promoted Chatteris in their Division One opener but four Yasmin Green goals, an Amie Ford brace and further strikers from Kerry Chawko and Kiera McHattie sealed an 8-1 win.

Deeping: Rebecca Warr, Keeley Tansley, Jasmine Maude, Sophie Langan, Amie, Ford, Kerry Chawko, Yasmin Green, Kiera McHattie, Rebecca Austin, Chloe Moscatiello.