Stoke City Women's promising season hit a bump with their exit from the Women's FA Cup in the fourth round, suffering a 4-1 defeat against Leicester City on January 15.
Despite a strong campaign in the FA Women's National League Northern Premier Division, where they currently sit fourth, The Potters faced a formidable Leicester City side that outclassed them in the cup tie.
Leicester City took control early in the match, with Yuka Momiki opening the scoring in the 13th minute. Missy Godwin extended their lead to 2-0 by the 30th minute, leaving Stoke City on the back foot.
However, a glimmer of hope appeared when Millie Ravenning converted a penalty just before halftime, reducing the deficit to 2-1.
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Second Half Dominance by Leicester City
Stoke City Women aimed to rally in the second half but struggled to break down Leicester City's defense.
The decisive moment came in the 76th minute when Yuka Momiki struck again, pushing Leicester's lead to 3-1. Nelly Lass sealed the victory for Leicester with a goal in stoppage time, ending the match at 4-1.
Defeat for the Potters at Meadow Lane. pic.twitter.com/qEESbu3q0K
— Stoke City FC Women (@scfc_women) January 15, 2025
Despite Ravenning's effort to spark a comeback, Stoke City couldn't overcome Leicester's dominance. The defeat marked a disappointing end to their Women's FA Cup journey, as they failed to replicate their league form in this crucial cup tie.
Refocusing on the League
With the FA Cup run over, Stoke City Women now turn their attention back to the FA Women's National League. They have a crucial match against Hull City on January 19, where they aim to secure three points to stay competitive in the league standings.
The team remains determined to close the gap on top contenders like Wolverhampton and Nottingham Forest, as they strive to finish the season strongly.