Luton Town Ladies’ WNL Plate campaign ended in a 3-2 defeat after extra-time to London City Lionesses Academy.
Myles Maddix made one change to the side that defeated Milton Keynes Women two weeks ago, with midfielder Amber Leighton replacing Chloe Tambula in the starting XI.
The Ladies’ first chance of the game came in the seventh minute when Amber Leighton found herself in space just inside the area but her effort was a tame one and was comfortably held by Emily Drinkwater-Robinson.
The away side took the lead after 25 minutes. A well-taken goal by Chloe Gabo saw the forward dribble past multiple Town players before she rounded Nicole Melling and finished into an empty net.
The Hatters were then dealt another blow before the break when Shianne Swarres pulled up with an injury and was replaced by Taylor O’Leary.
Just after the restart, Emily Wilson came close to levelling the game but her attempt was dragged wide of the right post.
Wilson did eventually get her goal with just seconds remaining of normal time. After shrugging off a London defender she found herself through on goal and her powerful effort beat Drinkwater-Robinson.
The Town were then forced into two more changes. First, Wilson who was replaced by Kiyana Fryer deep into stoppage time. Fiona Buttigieg was also forced off at the end of the ninety, she was replaced by Ellie Sargeant.
Four minutes into extra-time, the visitors restored their lead via Habeebat Gbajabiamila. A long-range free-kick was whipped into the area and knocked past Nicole Melling.
With 10 minutes to play the away side doubled their advantage. A misplaced pass from Sargeant was cut out and fired high into the back of the net from distance by Lexi Hewson.
Tasha Fensome halved the deficit with three minutes to play with a thumping volley from just inside the area, but the Town were unable to find that all-important third goal, with London City Lionesses able to see out the final stages of the match.
Town: Melling, Blacksley, Swarres (sub O’Leary 39), Fensome, Mulvaney, Maddix, Wilson (sub Fryer 90), Buttigieg (sub Sargeant 90), Leighton (sub Bowman 78), Lewis (sub Milliken 78), Beaufort.
Subs not used: Hudson, Gayle.
Report by Owen Williams Photos by Duncan Jack
