Women's FA Cup: Teenage Southampton goalkeeper Leah Etheridge comes off bench to score winner

A 17-year-old goalkeeper came off the bench to score a last-gasp extra-time winner playing as a striker in the Women's FA Cup.

Southampton Women's FC reserve keeper Leah Etheridge replaced Olivia Payne up front after 105 minutes of their first-round tie at Brentford.

It was 3-3 inside the final five minutes when Izzie Thorogood burst down the left and fired in a low cross.

Etheridge finished to secure a place in round two and spark wild celebrations.

The goal booked the Sirens - a separate entity from Southampton FC Women, and who play in the FA Women's National League Division One South West - a home tie with Maidenhead at Solent University's Test Park home on Sunday. The winners will host Watford in round three.

Etheridge told BBC Radio Solent: "It was crazy. I didn't really expect it. Our striker got injured in the first half of extra time and we had two goalkeepers on the bench so it was between us two.

"[When the goal went in] there was lots of screaming and I couldn't really breathe with everyone clambering on top of me."

Sirens goalkeeping coach Dease Kerrison said: "We were settled and thought we could go down to 10 players and try to see it through to penalties, but we had an extra sub so we thought we'd have an extra player on.

"Leah has played outfield for her college a little bit, maybe she can have a little run around up top, keep the defenders occupied.

"It's an old cliche but you couldn't write it. Nobody expects a keeper to come on and make their debut in the FA Cup, let alone come on as an impact sub up front and happen to score the winner.

"Most of us were on the ceiling. The magic of the FA Cup is a cliche but this time it's rung true. We're going to ride this wave and see where that momentum takes us."