FA Cup magic in the air as Church hit six in Shropshire.

The magic of the FA Cup returned on Sunday afternoon as Alvechurch Women began their 2026/2027 competitive campaign in emphatic fashion, securing a sensational 6-0 victory away to Ellesmere Rangers Women.

Now taking part in the competition for the fourth consecutive season, it remains a huge honour for Alvechurch to be involved in the greatest and oldest cup competition in English football. Every season brings a new adventure, and Church ensured their latest FA Cup journey got off to the perfect start with a professional and dominant performance.

The visitors travelled into the contest knowing they faced a stern challenge. Ellesmere Rangers had finished fifth in the Shropshire Premier Division during the 2025/26 season, and with Church arriving on the back of an unbeaten pre-season, the message was clear: standards had to rise another level as competitive action commenced.

And rise they did.

It took just four minutes for Alvechurch to break the deadlock.

Summer signing Lyndsey Ross, who arrived from Walsall, brought the ball under control and into her stride before playing a beautifully weighted pass into the path of Olivia Baker. The winger, who had looked increasingly dangerous throughout pre-season, continued exactly where she had left off. Baker raced in behind the Ellesmere defence, kept her composure and, after taking her time, buried a superb finish into the top right-hand corner.

The early goal only increased the visitors' confidence as they took complete control of proceedings. Church dominated possession and territory, coming close to doubling their advantage on several occasions. The post was struck from wide areas, efforts were blocked and Ellesmere were forced into some determined last-ditch defending.

It felt like a matter of time before the second goal arrived. Church had to remain patient, but their second goal was well worth the wait.

A fantastic team move began with Emme Leeson threading the ball into Grace Ford. Ford laid it out to Kiely Wilkinson, who had the time and awareness to pick out Baker. The opening goalscorer then found Poppy Jones inside, and the forward produced a lovely pass around the corner to release Baker once again. This time, Baker delivered a first-time cross into the area. The ball reached Ross at the back post, who showed great awareness to slip it into the feet of Jones. One touch was all she needed before unleashing a powerful effort that flew beyond the goalkeeper.

The goal felt significant. The pressure had lifted, and Alvechurch were now able to express themselves with even greater freedom.

Just two minutes later, they struck again. Ross, who had already registered two assists, decided it was time to add her own name to the scoresheet. Baker turned provider on this occasion, with Ross stealing in ahead of the goalkeeper and flicking the ball into the empty net for 0-3. The day was turning into the stuff of dreams for the away team from Worcestershire.

There was almost a fourth before the interval when Jones went in search of her second of the afternoon. From around 25 yards, she struck a superb effort that cannoned off the underside of the crossbar before bouncing away to safety.

HALF-TIME: ELLESMERE RANGERS WOMEN 0-3 ALVECHURCH WOMEN

The message at the break was simple. Maintain the standards. Don't become complacent. Stay professional, assured and focused. Protect the clean sheet and if the opportunities came, add to the scoreline.

Church did exactly that. Just ten minutes after the restart, the visitors found the crucial fourth goal. Another summer addition to add to the more experienced and new-look Alvechurch, Toni Kingscott, who joined from Shrewsbury Town, delivered a peach of a ball into the box from a corner. Jones came crashing in at the back post and powered her header over the line. It was 0-4, and Church' place in the next round of the Adobe Women's FA Cup wrapped up.

With the changes beginning to come, fresh energy and momentum were introduced into the Alvechurch side. But Jones was not finished. Poppy completes her hat-trick Kingscott was again involved as she threaded a wonderful pass into Jones' feet. The forward took the opportunity in spectacular fashion, firing an inch-perfect, fizzing effort across goal and into the bottom left-hand corner. A beautiful sweeping finish. A deserved and the perfect hat-trick; left foot, header, right foot.

The visitors then completed a sensational afternoon with a sixth and arguably the pick of the goals. Aleesha Hussain delivered a delicious cross into the box, begging to be met, but it fell for Brown at the back post, who picked it up and following Sim's lay-off, Club Captain Billie Kelly unleashed a sumptuous strike from outside the penalty area. The effort thundered into the back of the net to put the finishing touch on a quite outstanding team performance.

There was almost still time for a seventh as substitute Evie Cunnane made an almost immediate impact. Her sensational effort from distance crashed off the top of the crossbar and went over, denying her what would have been a memorable first competitive goal of the campaign.

But there was to be no need for any more.

From the very first whistle, Alvechurch were dominant. Six goals, six different moments to celebrate, a clean sheet and a place in the next round of the FA Cup.

The perfect way to begin another cup adventure.

FULL-TIME: ELLESMERE RANGERS WOMEN 0-6 ALVECHURCH WOMEN

⚽ Olivia Baker
⚽ Poppy Jones
⚽ Lyndsey Ross
⚽ Poppy Jones
⚽ Poppy Jones
⚽ Billie Kelly