Women’s football round-up: Natalia Arroyo’s Aston Villa will ‘learn and grow’ after FA Cup defeat
Aston Villa manager Natalia Arroyo says her side will 'learn and grow' from their Women's FA Cup defeat to Manchester City, writes Sophie Marlow.
Second-half strikes from Khadija Shaw and Jess Park condemned Villa to a 2-0 quarter-final defeat at the Manchester City Joie Stadium on Sunday.
But Arroyo was content with her side's display as they turn their attention back to battling for Women's Super League survival.
"We came here with a dream of taking something and of being in the semi-finals," said Arroyo. "In different moments in the game, we felt we were close to them.
"We suffered a lot in the opening 10 minutes but we stayed together and step by step we grew into game. Then it's football.
"There are positive things to take from this game. We are in a process to learn and grow."
Elsewhere, Wolves slipped two points behind National League Northern Premier Division leaders Nottingham Forrest after drawing 3-3 at Hull City, while Forest were winning 2-0 at Burnley.
Destiney Toussaint, Abbi Jenner and an own goal had put Wolves 3-2 to the good, but Hull levelled three minutes into stoppage time to damage Wolves' title hopes.
Boss Dan McNamara conceded: “That does probably draw a close to this year's title, with Forest winning today that's probably them home and dry.
"It is tough at the minute and tough to put into words, I'm an emotive person, but the girls have been fantastic all year.
“It's these kinds of games that we have to start learning how to win, if you want to win league titles, you need to do what a Forest would do, nick it one or two nil.
“We made it difficult, we tried to play on a difficult surface, we didn't win our battles or compete like we needed to do, we didn't show enough bravery or composure in the box, but it's a disappointing one and one to forget quite quickly.”
Mid-table West Brom secured a 1-0 victory against Rugby Borough after Liv Rabjohn scored a half-volley in the opening 10 minutes.
A 1-0 win for Sporting Khalsa moved them seven points clear of the relegation zone thanks to an effort from Tiana Russell-Cartwright in the second half.
Stourbridge remain entrenched in the bottom two after a 4-0 defeat against Stoke City.
Kidderminster Harriers now sit top of the West Midlands League Premier Division after an impressive 5-0 win against Burton Albion.
The side's top scorer Millie Rogers netted a brace, with the other goals coming from Eloise Harris, Ruby Hill and Bethany Gallagher.
Lye Town were knocked out of the West Midlands Premier Cup after their 4-4 draw with Leek Town Ladies went to penalties, where they were beaten 3-0.
Hednesford Town booked themselves a spot in the semi-finals of the West Midlands League Division One Cup after a penalty shootout saw them victorious over Redditch United. Ria Elsmore's goal had earned Hednesford a 1-1 draw before they prevailed 7-6 on penalties.
Penalties also saw Walsall knock Tamworth out of the Division One Cup quarter-finals and see themselves through to the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Lichfield City extended their lead at the top of West Midlands League Division One North after a 10-2 victory against Leek Town Reserves.
Courtney Dilger hit a hat-trick, there was a brace apiece from Shelbie Cartwright and Saddiqa Shan, while Samantha White, Jodie Jones and Dolcie Sims all scored once.
And Halesowen Town secured a 2-1 victory against Crusaders to overtake them in third in the Division One South.
