Everton Women fought back from a goal down to defeat Aston Villa on penalties in their opening Continental League Cup tie.
The Blues came into Wednesday's game looking to claim a second victory in just five days against the Villans. Ahead of the contest, manager Brian Sorensen hinted he would make full use of his squad with a testing Women's Super League clash against league leaders Manchester United to come on Sunday, and the Dane made eight changes from the side that triumphed in the West Midlands on Saturday afternoon.
Sorensen handed Clare Wheeler, Lenoie Maier and Kenzie Weir their first starts of the season, with on loan Chelsea youngster Aggie Beever-Jones making her home debut up front. Carla Ward also brought in some fresh legs, making three changes from Saturday's starting XI as Villa travelled to Merseyside in search of their third win of the season.
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While Sorensen told the ECHO his primary focus this season is to secure a strong league finish, the Blues took to the field at Walton Hall Park hoping to better last season's disappointing Conti Cup run which saw them exit the competition at the group stages.
It was the vistors who had the first chance of the game, with former Everton star Kenza Dali dragging her shot wide after bursting forward from midfield. Villa nearly made their early dominance count, forcing Manchester United loanee Emily Ramsey into an excellent save from captain Rachel Corsie inside 15 minutes.
Everton fashioned their first opening of the game just before the half hour mark, with Elise Stenevik sending her shot just over the bar after working some space in the box with some smart footwork. It was one of few forays forwards from the hosts though, and Aston Villa went into the break having enjoyed 67% posession and registering four shots on target compared to Everton's zero.
The visitors took the lead shortly after the restart, with Welsh international Natasha Harding slotting the ball past the on-rushing Emily Ramsey on 48 minutes. The Everton boss promptly turned to his bench, replacing Wheeler and Weir with Nathalie Bjorn and Jess Park.
And it was an instant impact from Manchester City loanee Park,who carried the ball forwards before Beever-Jones picked it up and rounded Anna Leat to net her first goal of the season.
The introduction of club captain Lucy Graham also helped Everton to turn the tide; the Scot injecting some much-needed energy in midfield and almost teeing up fellow substitute Gio with an inviting cross into the box. Despite a spirited final 20 minutes from the hosts, the match ended all square after 90 minutes, forcing the sides to contest a penalty shootout to determine the winner.
Making just her second start of the season, Ramsey made herself the hero by saving from Anna Patten and Laura Blindkilde-Brown to secure the Blues a bonus point to kick off their Conti Cup campaign.
It's a victory that continues Everton's positive early-season momentum and inspires confidence ahead of Manchester United's visit to Walton Hall Park on Sunday.
Everton will contest their next Conti Cup fixture away to Sheffield United on November 26 before closing out the group stage with ties against Manchester United and Durham in December.
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