Actonians travelled to Berkshire on Tuesday night for this Combined Counties League Women's Cup tie, searching for their first win of 2025.

Defender Keishia-Farah Luboya returned to the side for the first time since August and there was also a start for youngster Amanda Reimer.

With former captain Jess Drage starting for the hosts, the match got off to a very lively start.

After only five minutes, the A's defence was blown wide open by a long ball which found Kate Fox who broke clear and finished low into the corner giving recently signed goalkeeper Lilly Hadrava little chance.

Having lost to fifth-tier Fulham in their last game, the prospect of being derailed by another one sitting top of the SRWFL looked on the cards.

However, it was not be as just four minutes later Hana Lalani equalised after robbing Ascot keeper Jodie Gray-Piazza following some swift and aggressive pressing.

Sadly, midway through the half, old A's favouritie Drage hobbled off nursing a knee injury which will hopefully prove to be not too serious.

With a major player now missing from the Yellas' defence, Ollie Yazdi's side were able to take control and they forced a number of corners and free-kicks.

Just before the interval one of these was made to count as Mara Bramwell's inswinger found the head of Jasmine Williamson who nodded home to make it 2-1 at half-time.

The second half began at a similarly frenetic pace but clearcut chances were few and far between.

Ten minutes in, a lengthy stop in play was required as Ascot substitute Leah Robertson went down in considerable pain following a legal challenge from Bramwell - the screams were audible all around the ground as she was swiftly attended to by the physio staff.

After a break of 11 minutes, and with temperatures falling, she was able to hobble off and play restarted.

Gray-Piazza continued to be the far busier goalkeeper but finally conceded the game-clinching goal in injury time as a scramble in the penalty area saw the ball eventually headed home by Lalani to take her tally for the season to nine and make her the club's top scorer following the departure of Dior Knorr in November.

There could have been further goals in the time that remained as substitute Molly O'Reilly tested Philippa Holden with two good efforts but the stand-in keeper made some really decent saves to keep them out.

With the time approaching 10pm, the referee finally blew his whistle and Actonians had their 3-1 win and a place in the quarter-finals.

POTM - Hana Lalani. After conceding an early goal, this tie could have easily slipped away but her committed pressing made sure of a swift equaliser which no doubt changed the course of the game. Busy throughout, she got a second late on to seal the win.

Report by James Doe

Actonians LFC

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