MORGAN Betteridge’s superb strike sent Knowle Ladies through to the next round of the League Cup as the Robins were forced to come from behind to see off a spirited Worcester City side.
Knowle fell behind early on before goals from Jess Holland and Maz Byrne either side of the break turned the game on its head.
However, Worcester drew level despite Knowle’s dominance only for Betteridge’s stunner to win the tie for the Robins in the final few minutes.
Worcester started the better of the two teams and took the lead when Georgia Marrett slid the ball home from goalkeeper Katie Thatcher’s long kick after Robins keeper Katy Smirthwaite had made a fine stop moments earlier.
The home side equalised soon after as Holland held off a City defender and confidently found the net after she was played in by Demi Rolph following a quick break by Jess Barlow.
This sparked Knowle into life as Alana White shot narrowly wide on three occasions before Rolph blazed over after beating two defenders.
And the Robins completed the turnaround early in the second half as Byrne rose high at the back post to meet Betteridge’s cross with a firm header.
Knowle looked to extend their lead as White hit the crossbar with a thunderous effort before Rolph had a goal ruled out for offside.
And Worcester capitalised on that reprieve to draw level as Elspeth Hill ran onto a loose ball and finished at the second attempt past Smirthwaite.
With the game destined for penalties, after Rolph saw another goal chalked off, Betteridge’s first time 25-yard screamer with two minutes left to play looped over Thatcher and into the net despite the Worcester goalkeeper getting her fingertips to the shot.
Knowle will face Port Vale Women for a place in the semi-finals next month.
