SSFC Women complete sensational Alnwick Town comeback in Women's FA Cup

South Shields Women pulled off a sensational second-half comeback to defeat Alnwick Town Ladies in the Second Round Qualifying of the Adobe Women's FA Cup.

The opening goal of Sunday’s clash came for the hosts, with Libby Rees scoring directly from a corner in the 24th minute.

The second, again, came from a set-piece and this time it was Sophie Greener, who blasted her free-kick away in the 41st minute. 

Three minutes later, the hosts picked up their third of the afternoon, with Greener netting her second. 

However a dramatic second-half comeback from the Mariners began with a bullet Jen Wootten header in the 64th minute. 

An intense final few minutes saw Shields score twice, firstly through Annece Legg from a free-kick and then Ellie White from close range.

The Mariners came into Sunday's clash hoping to repeat their successes from last season, which saw them reach the Second Round Proper for the first time.

They came up against a new-look Alnwick side, who fielded a number of new players since the teams last met in April.

The Mariners began and looked strong, recycling possession well in the opening 10 minutes. 

Ex-Mariner Greener then found herself through on goal, after a long ball over the top. 

However, Asia Jota tracked back superbly and nicked the ball away from her, and then away from danger.

Five minutes later, the hosts had another chance at goal. 

Emily Henderson had space and struck from long distance but the ball was tipped over the bar by Anna Yeakey. 

That fantastic save from Yeakey, however, resulted in a corner for Alnwick which was scored directly by Rees.

Six minutes later, Shields came close to scoring an equalier when Tianna Hill thundered the ball at goal from long-range, however her strike crashed against the post. 

Minutes before the half-time whistle, Lola Sage won the hosts a free-kick, 20 yards from goal, which was turned home by Greener. 

With just one minute remaining on the clock, Greener slotted in Alnwick’s third. 

The Mariners began the second-half hoping to bounce back from that first 45, and kick-off quickly to get themselves back into this tie. 

The second-half was action-packed from the beginning to the end, with Shields creating an opportunity inside six minutes. 

White pounced onto a rebound, however her strike was too close to Alnwick's Scarlett Gowans who made a save. 

The next goal was crucial and it was the Mariners who got that goal; Jen Wootten got herself on the scoring. 

Wootten headed home after some wonderful play down the left side from Gatens, who crossed it into the box for Wootten to nick in the lasses' first of the afternoon, with more than 25 minutes left to play. 

Shields, eight minutes later, found the woodwork again. 

Becki McMahon strided forward past Alnwick’s defence and released a shot that rattled the top of the crossbar. 

Incredibly, it happened again 12 minutes later - the Mariners had hit the woodwork for the third time.

The Mariners still continued to pursue the goals and in the 90th minute, Shields then got their second. 

Legg whipped in a delightful free-kick that looped over Gowans and into the net.

Now just moments away from the final whistle, Shields were desperate to solidify their comeback and with the last kick of the game, the comeback was completed. 

White made it her moment: the forward got herself into a dangerous area, charged towards a ball that looked as though Alnwick would clear, but White nicked the ball and smashed it into the net, sealing a spectacular second-half comeback. 

The lasses then went on to win 4-3 on penalties to book their ticket to the Third Round Qualifying stage - that draw will be made shortly.

Alnwick Town Ladies (starting XI): Gowans, Hately, Sage, Foster, Henderson, Mallaburn, Johnston, Third, Rees, Greener, Young.

Substitutes: Belisle, James, Matthews.

Goals: Rees (24'), Greener (41', 44').

South Shields Women (starting XI): Yeakey, May, Killeen, Legg, White, Wootten, McMahon, Jota, Green, Hill, Raffel.

Substitutes: Burns, Robinson, Gatens, Sanders, Longstaff, Hoot, Scarpiello.

Goals: Wootten (64'), Legg (90'), White (90+3').