An action-packed second half, featuring multiple cards, a penalty, plenty of goals, and a spirited Lightning, was not enough to prevent Stoke from slipping away with the win.
The visitors quickly established control from the first touch of the ball, with Lightning on the defence from the outset. After an early warning sign and a crucial clearance from Olivia Mitchell Ramon, Stoke broke the deadlock in the 11th minute, capitalising on a counterattack.
Goalkeeper Teresa Murphy was called into action repeatedly in the first half, proving to be a standout in limiting Stoke as they searched for a second. The most threatening chance for Lightning came from a free kick earned by Powell in the 36th minute, with Ella Jarowicki’s strike from distance narrowly wide.
Despite this increased shift from Lightning’s, Stoke swung the momentum back in their favour shortly before the break. Nia Davies was shown a yellow card for a foul just outside the box, which the visitors took advantage of to double their lead in the 43rd minute. This dominance followed almost immediately, scoring their third of the afternoon just a minute later after a scramble inside the box allowed the ball to be slotted into the bottom corner. Murphy prevented further damage with a stoppage-time save, but Lightning had work to do in the second half.
The game drastically changed within the first minutes of the restart.
A reckless challenge on West saw Stoke City’s Bradley being shown a straight red card. Olivia Mitchell Ramon picked up possession inside the Lightning half, dominantly surging through the Stoke defence before some fantastic footwork and an astounding outside-the-box strike earned Lightning their first of the afternoon in the 48th minute.
Sparking life into Lightning, the intense energy of the match continued, with Stoke being awarded a penalty in the 57th minute after a tug on the shoulder. The belief from Lightning, however, persisted, and Murphy pulled out yet another vital save to keep the score at 3-1.
Lightning continued to push, with momentum and support behind them. Doris Greenwood replaced Denver Thompson in the 54th minute, with Becky Hoggs coming on just after the hour mark to maintain this intensity.
A blow to the head saw a break in play for Mitchell Ramon to receive treatment in the 71st minute, with a Stoke player subsequently being booked. Greenwood was shown a yellow moments after the restart in the 74th minute, as Lightning continued to push to close the deficit.
Conway, Spillman and Chads were all introduced throughout the half in search of another breakthrough, with Mitchell Ramon coming agonisingly close as her shot drifted slightly wide in the 80th minute.
The host’s hopes suffered a slight setback in the 82nd minute, as Stoke scored their fourth of the game to restore their 3-goal lead with only minutes left.
Refusing to surrender, Lightning’s efforts persisted, rewarding them with a corner. Substitute Lucy Chads delivered an inch-perfect corner towards the keeper, who was unable to control the power of the pass, falling over the goal line with the ball in hand to give Lightning their second of the afternoon.
Another twist of the afternoon saw Hogg shown a straight red card following a 50-50 challenge in stoppage time, leaving both sides seeing the game out with 10 players, and Lightning knocked out of the FA WNL Cup.
After a difficult opening 45 minutes, a chaotic second half saw a spirited and resilient Lightning on display to provide a highly entertaining game with true promise and intent. The team look ahead to their next game, returning to league action against Derby County at home on the 8 November.
1.T. Murphy, 23. E. Williams, 2. E. McMaster, 54. E. West, 37. N. Davies (62’ B. Hogg), 30. M. Rogers © 10. L. Mutch (80’ L. Chads), 35. O. Mitchell Ramon, 7. F. Powell (70’ I. Conway), 25. E. Jarowicki (77’ G. Spillman), 13. D. Thompson (54’ D. Greenwood)