Photo: Annie Northwood has now scored six goals in the FA Cup this season. Courtesy of Dave Bodymore.

Winchester City Flyers reached the First Round Proper of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup for the first time with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Bitton AFC on Sunday.

Annie Northwood broke the deadlock before half-time before scoring her eighth goal of the season nine minutes after the restart.

Deep into stoppage time 17-year-old Eliza Eaton scored her first FA Cup goal to wrap up the tie and ensure the Flyers were in the draw for the First Round.

Manager, Emma Pearmine, made just one change to her starting line-up as Emma Whitlock replaced the absent Vinnie Nkomo with youngsters Jess Harmer and Eaton on the bench.

There was a chill to the air as Winchester City faced Bitton of the South West Regional Leagues.

Both teams looked to start the game strong however, it was the visitors who got the first attempt through Northwood but her shot was straight at the goalkeeper.

The two sides battled for possession and create some opportunities to break the deadlock.

Bitton had chances from a free-kick and a good forward but it wasn’t enough to truly test Ellie Parker in the Flyers goal.

Laura da Silva was covering a lot of ground and looked to be a pivotal part of the Winchester attack, she had one cross blocked and another found its target but Wilkinson sliced the shot.

With nearly half an hour played Northwood was put through again as she beat the defenders, but her shot was at the keeper.

Charlie Snelling switched the ball out to da Silva to drive into the box to deliver the ball where Amy Smith was inches away from connecting for her first Flyers goal.

In the 39th minute Winchester broke the deadlock.

Da Silva a thorn in Bitton’s side got free of the defence where she played a delightful ball through for Northwood who neatly tucked away her first of the afternoon.

Wilkinson had a great chance to double the Flyers’ lead before the break but her effort went over the crossbar.

As the second-half began Northwood continued to be a threat but was denied once again by the Bitton keeper.

Then in the 54th minute the striker scored her second of the game as she raced onto a Wilkinson pass and finished to make it 2-0.

Not long after Northwood was substituted off a second FA Cup hat-trick not on the cards this time and she was replaced by teenage forward Eaton.

With the score at 2-0 Bitton tried to get forward which provided space in behind for the newly introduced Eaton to utilise her natural speed.

Bitton’s defence recovered well to deny Eaton on several occasions.

Lydia Moulding was called into action to protect the clean sheet and with the game winding down Bitton’s keeper made a fine save from an Eaton shot.

Deep into added time Winchester wrapped up the win.

The move came from Bitton trying to move the ball out from the back but the pressure from da Silva allowed Sharna Capel-Watson to find the pass to Jess Harmer.

Another of the Winchester youngsters, Harmer lifted the ball over the defender for Eaton to drive forward take it past the keeper and finish to cement the team’s place in the First Round.

The full-time whistle came shortly after and Winchester’s unbeaten run continued for a fourth game.

Up next the Flyers will hosts AFC Porthester on Sunday 3rd November but before then they have two home league games against Badshot Lea and Ascot United to contend with.

Full-time: Bitton AFC 0 Flyers 3