Featuring in the Adobe Women's FA Cup for the very first-time, there was a sense of excitement as the big day arrived for the home team. Church began their adventure against Borrowash Victoria at home on Sunday afternoon, who had already featured in the competition this campaign.

As mentioned above, our visitors had already featured in this year's competition. They had to overcome Tamworth FC Women to ensure a place in the second-round qualifying. This came after a 2-1 victory on their own patch. So, they arrived at The Hayes full of confidence having knocked a team from the tier above out already. The hosts now on extra caution as they went in search of their first win in any competition this campaign.

HOW IT UNFOLDED...
Before the contest though, we held a minute silence for Maddy Cusack, who passed away a year ago. The two teams came together to remember a true and loved icon across the Women's game.

Right, into the thick of it. Would it be a day to savour for Church or could the visitors strike another shock of their own?

Those questions were squashed three minutes into the encounter as Church made a lightning fast start to the tie. Charlotte Leedham was allowed freedom down the right-hand side, skipping past the challenges with ease. She kept her composure, picking out Lara Stevens in the middle, who had a simple task of knocking the ball over the line as the hosts made the breakthrough.

The dominance in the opening exchanges were there for all to see. Church with multiple opportunities to double their lead after so many teasing crosses from the impressive Leedham, who was full of confidence and in the mood to strike this afternoon.

On 39 minutes, the home team would be kicking themselves as to how they couldn't grab their second goal. Erin Jordan split the Vics defence wide open allowing space for Leedham to venture into. She then drove a brilliant cross across the face of goal for Alisha Sheridan at the far post but the goal-machine somehow managed to miskick the effort and landed, unfortunately, into the goalkeeper's hands.

90 seconds later, and Imogen Butler went close with an effort but her strike was always rising.

However, the nerves were settled on the stroke of the half-time whistle and what a time to score the second goal of the afternoon. Again, it was Leedham involved in the action. Our tricky winger shifted the ball out of her feet before opting to take the shot on from the edge of the area which was too hot to handle for the opposition goalkeeper. The spillage opened the door for Sheridan to tap home into an empty net.

HALF-TIME: ALVECHURCH 2-0 BORROWASH

Nerves settled. Confidence flowing now. Time to see the job through.

Two minutes into the second half, and it really should have been three. Leedham dug out the cross to Butler, who swivelled and turned, unleashing a shot that started to drift wide. Starting to drift wide, Charlotte Taylor managed to retrieve the ball. She slipped Butler back inside, who made a great movement to open up the space. The dancing feet of Butler allowed her to take on the shot. The ball was well saved but it rebounded to Leedham at the far post. Thinking this would be her moment, she was denied by a superb block on the line.

Goalscoring is becoming a habit for our Imogen Butler! She keeps up her run of scoring in every game this season as she added the gloss to a sparkling second-half performance so far. Brilliant football from the hosts carved the away side open, freeing up the gaps and pockets for Butler to race into. She received a fantastic pass into her feet before cutting in from the left and unleashing an effort that sneaked under the goalkeeper. Alvechurch 3, Borrowash 0.

Game over as far as the visitors were concerned.

As Church went in search of more goals to add to a dazzling first-ever FA Cup match, we found a fourth goal and Leedham broke her duck for the season to find her first goal of the campaign. From 30 yards out, she opted to take on the effort. She wouldn't regret it as the shot skidded off the surface and flew into the bottom left-hand corner for a stunning goal.

With eight minutes remaining of the game, Church' afternoon went to incredible heights as they produced a five-star showing on home soil. Butler managed to weave her way to the by-line before cutting it back into a dangerous area for a Church player to attack. That Church player happened to be Alisha Sheridan, who was ready and waiting to fire into the far right-hand corner.

The only slight disappointment to the afternoon was the goal that the hosts conceded at the end. Having been rarely troubled, our new goalkeeper was having to pick the ball out of her net as a stunning strike from 25 yards out slammed off the underside of the crossbar.

FULL-TIME: ALVECHURCH 5-1 BORROWASH

A devastating second-half performance in particular was more like it from the home side. Having had a tough opening period to their campaign, the hosts end their wait for a first win of the season in all competitions and now hopefully the spring-board for more positive results in the coming weeks and of course, they sail safely into the next round of the Adobe Women's FA Cup.

Next up, Church face another cup test. This time, they welcome Leek Town Ladies in the WMRWL Premier Division Cup.