Ria Montgomery grabbed the winner for Huddersfield Town Women FC as the Terriers hope Lightning strikes twice.
Town won 2-1 at Loughborough Lightning on Sunday in the FA Women’s National League Cup – and return there again this Sunday hoping for the same result with league points at stake.
Serena Fletcher headed Town in front from a well-worked free-kick routine early in the first half and Montgomery got the final touch to double the lead with less than half-an-hour gone.
It remained 2-0 at the break and just after the restart Kate Mallin could have sealed it for Town but her acrobatic effort was just over the bar.
Loughborough was handed a lifeline after 67 minutes when Beth Stanfield conceded a penalty. Keeper Abi Megeary got a hand to Kayleigh Hines’ spotkick but couldn’t keep it out.
Lightning piled on late pressure and Lauren Taft thought she levelled for the home side in the 90th minute but Megeary pulled off a brilliant save to send Town into the second round.
The two sides do battle again on Sunday November 6 (2.00)
