On the losing side in only two of their previous eight matches, a recently rejuvenated Aston Villa handed a debut to experienced Swiss international defender Noelle Maritz who signed on the dotted line in a permanent deal from Arsenal a week ago.
Meanwhile, Everton’s new signing, Kathrine Møller Kühl, was forced to settle for a seat on the substitutes’ bench as the Toffees looked to take one step closer to repeating their overall success in the competition in 2010.
AST: Leat; Mayling, Patten, Corsie, Maritz; Dali, Staniforth, Nobbs; Leon, Hanson, Daly
EVE: Brosnan; Stenevik, Finnigan, Galli; Olesen, Wheeler, Bennison, Holmgaard; Snoeijs, Payne, Bissell
Undrawing back the curtain on the fourth round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, Everton kept Anna Leat hard-pressed in the Villa goal throughout the opening quarter-hour, as Emma Bissell fired wide of the mark before Clare Wheeler fired straight at the New Zealand international.
The visitors again came close to breaking the deadlock in the 21st minute, with Bissell, this time, firing an enterprising effort on target. However, despite showcasing unparalleled dominance in and around the final third, Brian Sørensen’s side would frustratingly be forced to return to the dressing room without anything to show for their determined first-half display.
Nonetheless, the running order at the Poundland Bescot Stadium would lead to the game’s opening goal shortly before the hour mark. After seeing Hanna Bennison hit the post almost immediately from the restart, 18-year-old Karoline Olesen gave Everton what they deserved shortly before the hour-mark by fearsomely striking her teammates’ exquisitely constructed assist beyond Leat via the underside of the crossbar.
Embed from Getty ImagesDespite reappearing as a more potent threat in front of goal than in the opening 45, with Adriana Leon and Rachel Daly sending efforts wide of Courtney Brosnan’s goal, Everton confirmed their place in the fifth round in the 80th minute as Katja Snoeijs’ effort from a distance expertly flew into the far corner of the net.
The Dutch international then got her name onto the scoresheet for a second time only seven minutes later by picking herself up from the turf, after being fouled by Anna Patten, to confidently beat Leat from the spot.
A convincing victory marks Everton’s seventh consecutive away day success over Villa across all competitions. The Toffees will not have to wait long to find out their fifth-round opponents, with the draw scheduled to be made on Monday evening.
