1. FC Union Berlin's Women's team are out of the cup at the first hurdle, losing 2-1 at Verbandsligisten Borussia Pankow.

Borussia Pankow: Kirchhoff - Ruß, Krüger, C. Klausch, Erlacher (90+2. Wenk), Janowitz, Ebel, Friese, Schmitt, F. Klausch, Weinholz

1. FC Union Berlin: Krebs - Scheffler, Schulz (69. Görsdorf), Schindler, Rurack - Scheel, Wimmer, Heiseler - Bucher (46. Reissner), Spolaczyk, Krauss (46. Youssef)

Goals: 0:1 Erlacher (59.), 0:2 Erlacher (72.), 1:2 Spolaczyk (78.)

Attendance: 80

Tough first half in Pankow

Union's head coach. Ailien Poese had wrung in the changes ahead of 1. FC Union Berlin's first midweek fixture, rotating seven players from the side who drew against RB Leipzig II at the weekend. The idea was that she would thus give numerous players who had not been able to collect too much playing time in recent weeks the opportunity to prove themselves.

Union came into the north of Berlin derby as favourites, and consequently had a lot of possession, but despite a few flashes, they struggled to deal with fierce opponents on a narrow pitch.

Their best chance in a tough first half came from captain Lisa Heiseler, but her shot in the 15th minute was deflected wide for a corner by the goalkeeper, Sophia Kirchhoff. And apart from a long-range shot by Luca Scheel, which flew narrowly past the top corner on the stroke of half an hour, and and a shot by Pauline Wimmer, that flew just wide ten minutes later,  Union failed to create many other threats on goal.

Cool Pankow heads on the counter

At the half-time break, Poese swapped her wingers, bringing in Nour Youssef and Naika Reissner. The latter almost scored the opening goal just four minutes after the restart when she found herself alone in front of the goalkeeper, but her shot missed the target.

Pankow had been strong at the back, but then, after an hour, something happened that should never have happened against the battling underdogs. A long ball from the hosts flew right into the path of their lurking striker, Lorena Erlacher, who finished the counterattack with ice-cold precision and put Pankow in the lead.

Union were in a state of shock, and only 13 minutes later the disaster continued, when Erlacher scored her second . It was only then that the Köpenickers rallied. Yara Scheffler's shot from distance flying just wide Then, in the 79th minute, Elisa Spolaczyk scored, giving Union some hope. They threw everything at Pankow, desperately trying to at least take the tie into exctra time, but eventually even Spolaczyk's best chance, with ten minutes to go, was side-footed over the bar in the end. It just wasn't to be. 

The knock-out hit Union's players hard , it was clear to see after the final whistle.

"It shows time and again that the cup can have its own rules," said Poese after the game. "Pankow played cleverly, using the narrow pitch, and taking their chances. After conceding the goals we threw everything at them, but unfortunately couldn't take advantage of our opportunities. We wish Borussia Pankow every success in the cup and will now concentrate fully on the league."

A Look Ahead

Union will have the chance to make amends in the Regionalliga Nordost next Sunday when they play at home against Hertha 03 Zehlendorf. The game has been moved at short notice, so will now take place at Dörpfeldstraße. Kick-off is at 14:00. Admission is free.