MARIEANNE Spacey-Cale’s Saints Women progressed in the National League Cup after a thrilling 3-2 win at Cheltenham on Sunday.

Lucia Kendall, Georgie Freeland and Sophie Pharoah all struck to turn the tie around, after the side had fallen behind early on to the hosts.

Abby Bevan’s dipping long-shot put Saints behind after just 18 minutes, although it wasn’t until the final seconds of the game that Cheltenham would pull their second back through Mai Butler, with captain Shannon Sievwright’s team firmly in the driving seat.

Kendall had equalised with an accurate strike before Freeland’s driven effort gave Saints the advantage.

Pharoah then capitalised on a number of defensive errors by the host to volley home from close-range and all-but seal progression to the next round.

The win only continues Saints’ superb season, which sees them currently lead the National League with five wins in five and having amassed a far superior goal difference to the rest of the division.

Saints’ next game sees a return to league action when they face London Bees at the Snows Stadium on the September 26 (2PM kick-off), following a short international break.