West Ham United Ladies have matched their male counterparts by winning through to the FA Women's Cup in their first game of 2011.
The Hammers, who are also going well in the league, were 4-1 winners against Norwich City, thanks in no small part to two goals from striker Gemma Shepherd before half-time. Jodie Drake pulled one back just after the hour but a Kate Parsons own goal and a fine fourth from Jonna Kykkanen took the home side through to the third round.
Norwich began brightly, hitting a post on eleven minutes and then struck the woodwork again on 24 minutes. The Hammers instantly countered and Jess Barling was upended by Parsons in the penalty area. Up stepped Shepherd to score from the spot and she made it two ten minutes from the interval with a fine shot.
Manager Julia Setford made two changes in the second half including taking off Shepherd in the hope of keeping Norwich on the back-foot. The visitors did manage to find a way back though when Drake scored after Norwich had hit the post again. The Hammers remained calm and Barling forced the Parsons own goal before substitute Kykkanen blasted in from the edge of the area with a fierce drive.