Middlesex were twice unable to hold onto the lead against the Army but a third goal did prove enough for them to take the points in the Southern Counties Cup tie.
The Army FA Lionesses began their defence of the cup at Uxbridge FC on Wednesday night but went down to a 3-2 defeat against hosts Middlesex FA.
The visitors hit the crossbar from the edge of the box before Ashley Cheatley latched on to a long ball and lifted it over the onrushing goalkeeper to give Middlesex the lead.
Two minutes later, Libby Dixon capitalised on a mix up in the box to level the scores.
Middlesex restored the lead when Cheatley swept in from a low cross but when a free-kick was not cleared, it dropped kindly for the Army to fire into the net.
Alissa Down had the hosts ahead for a third time with a well struck shot from 25 yards and although Cheatley narrowly missed her hat-trick and Middlesex endured a few tense moments, they held out for a 3-2 win.
