The Ladies defeated Mansfield Town Ladies 3-0 at Barton to advance to the Second Round of the Women’s FA Cup, in a game that saw Andie Dickens make her long awaited return to action after 595 days and a debut goal from Natalia Makowska.
Myles Maddix made five changes to the side that was defeated at Barton last Sunday. Sarah Hudson replaced Nicole Melling between the sticks, Fiona Buttigieg missed out through injury and she was replaced by Lisa Milliken in defence.
Chloe Tambula, cup-tied last weekend, also made her return to the Hatters’ backline. Taylor O’Leary made her first start since return from injury, in place of Shianne Swarres. One change in the attack saw Nia Bowman come into the starting XI ahead of Emily Wilson.
Just three minutes in, Jánaye Beaufort’s long-range attempt struck the crossbar and appeared to have crossed the line by some margin, but the linesman waved it away, insisting Price kept it out in time.
Moments later, Jánaye unleashed another long-range effort goalwards, but this time Price was able to hold comfortably.
After upping the pressure, the Stags’ resistance was broken by a quick-fire Luton Town double with 12 minutes remaining of the first-half. A Shanice Lewis corner caused chaos in the area, the ball finally broke to Taylor O’Leary who poked the ball into the back of the net for her first Hatters goal.
Less than a minute later, Leyah Maddix doubled the Town’s lead. The captain’s original effort struck the post, but the ball fell kindly back to her to net into an open goal - her third in three games.
Elizabeth Mulvaney, still in search of her first Luton Town Ladies goal, headed a Shanice Lewis corner onto the roof of the net.
Natalia Makwoska was introduced at the break for her Hatters debut, replacing Nia Bowman.
Makwoska started her debut lively, her floated delivery into the area from the right-hand side was headed onto the crossbar by Tasha Fensome.
Elizabeth Mulvaney was replaced by Andie Dickens, who made her return to first team action for the first time in 595 days after making a full recovery from an ACL tear.
Andie was keen to get stuck in, winning the ball back in midfield with a strong challenge and then, this time on the right wing, she saw her shot saved by Price, who kept the Stags in the game with some exceptional saves throughout the afternoon.
In the fifth minute of additional time, Natalia Makowska marked her debut with a goal. Substitute Summer Gayle picked the ball up in a deep position and threaded it through to Makowska who slotted past Price to give the Ladies a 3-0 lead.
Town: Hudson, Tambula, Fensome (sub Gayle 83), Mulvaney (sub Dickens 68), Maddix (sub Wilson 88), Milliken, O’Leary, Bowman (sub Makowska 46), Leighton (sub Swarres 83), Lewis, Beaufort.
Subs not used: Melling, Sargeant.
Report by Owen Williams. Photos by Duncan Jack.
