The Round-Up
Sunday 4th February
FA Women’s Cup
The 4th Round Proper of the FA Women’s Cup this Sunday featuring 16 ties the last 32 in the competition with the sides from both FAWSL 1 & 2 entering at this stage. 8 ties featuring sides within the East or the leagues covered. FAWSL 2 sides Tottenham Hotspur Ladies and Brighton & Hove Albion WFC were drawn at home against fellow FAWSL opposition. Tottenham Hotspur Ladies taking on 6 times FA Women’s Cup winners Doncaster Rovers Belles currently leading FAWSL 2 a 3-0 win for the visitors seeing Doncaster through to the 5th Round.
Brighton & Hove Albion WFC were hosting the current FA Women’s Cup holders Manchester City Women a big test for Hope Powell’s side, a useful one too even though they exited the competition going out defeated 2-0. Watford Ladies from FAWSL 2 had also been handed a tough away tie in the FA Women’s Cup taking on Liverpool Ladies from FAWSL 1. A 5-0 win for the Merseyside club seeing Liverpool safely into the 5th Round.
Elsewhere their were 5 sides from the FAWPL Southern Division competing in the FA Women’s Cup 4th Round. Cardiff City Ladies producing the upset of the round by knocking out FAWSL opposition. At home to Oxford United Women on Sunday. Held their higher league opponents to a goalless draw taking the tie into extra-time still neither side could break the stalemate the tie going all the way to a penalty shootout. Cardiff celebrating an historic victory taking the shootout 5-4 to reach the 5th Round.
It wasn’t the only tie to go all the way to penalties as Southern Division side, Chichester City Ladies were away in the 4th Round up against, The New Saints Ladies, enjoying a good season so far 2nd in FAWPL Midlands Division One. Was a tight game between the two sides, The New Saints Ladies leading 1-0 at the break through an own goal from Chichester in the 32nd minute. Chichester City responded early in the 2nd half to level the scores, Cherelle Khassel putting the ball into the back of the net. That the way the score remained on 90 minutes the tie moving into extra-time no more goals seeing it head to penalties Chichester City the one’s celebrating as they went through to the 5th Round taking it 5-4.
A tricky away trip too or Lewes FC Women on Sunday too in the 4th Round of the FA Women’s Cup taking on Keynsham Town Ladies from FAWPL South West Division One, in good form. Lewes playing a league higher are enjoying a good season themselves however and safely negotiated this potential banana skin. Amy Taylor giving the visitors the lead late in the 1st half. Georgia Bridges doubling the lead in the 2nd half as the game closed on the hour mark her strike quickly followed up by a goal from Sarah Kempson. Lewes into the 5th Round with a 3-0 win.
For the 3rd successive cup match Charlton Athletic Women progressed with a win in extra-time. A long trip away in the FA Women’s Cup for the Southern Division leaders up against Northern Division side, Blackburn Rovers Ladies. A close match between the pair it was goalless after the 1st 45 minutes. Charlton taking the lead early in the 2nd half courtesy of an own goal. The lead didn’t last long as Natasha Flint equalised for Blackburn Rovers. Mid-way through the 2nd half Charlton once again took the lead Charlotte Gurr making it 2-1 in the 73rd minute. Again Blackburn Rovers pulled it level, Flint with her 2nd of the game 9 minutes from time. 2-2 the final score after 90 minutes the tie heading in extra-time for the 3rd time in the game Charlton took the lead, Georgia Griffin scoring in the 1st period of extra-time, this time Charlton held on to claim the win and reach the last 16 of the FA Women’s Cup.
Coventry United Ladies were drawn away in the FA Women’s Cup, against FAWSL 2 opposition, Millwall Lionesses. Nothing new for the Southern Division side have claimed FAWSL scalps in the FA Women’s Cup in previous seasons. Were up against a Millwall Lionesses side in good form this time around however the hosts leading 2-0 at half-time. An early goal in the 2nd half putting Millwall in full control of the tie led 4-0 with 20 minutes left. Coventry were awarded a penalty with around 5 minutes left, Helen Dermody stepping up to score, Coventry exited the cup with a 4-1 defeat.
The draw for the last 16 of the FA Women’s Cup was made on Monday with at least one FAWPL side guaranteed at place in the quarter finals with Cardiff City draw at home to Charlton. A couple of mouth watering home ties too for both Chichester City and Lewes as they meet Merseyside giants, Liverpool Ladies & Everton Ladies from FAWSL 1 respectfully.
The FA Women’s Cup 5th Round draw, ties to be played Sunday 18th February.
Arsenal Women v Millwall Lionesses
Cardiff City Ladies v Charlton Athletic Women
Lewes FC Women v Everton Ladies
Sunderland AFC Ladies v Aston Villa Ladies
Chichester City Ladies v Liverpool Ladies
Birmingham City Ladies v Manchester City Women
Chelsea Ladies v Doncaster Rovers Belles
Durham Women FC v Plymouth Argyle Ladies or Leicester City Women
FAWPL Southern Division
Three games in the FAWPL Southern Division this Sunday and with leaders Charlton involved in the FA Women’s Cup it was an opportunity for the sides placed 2nd and 3rd to close the gap at the top. Crystal Palace Ladies in 2nd level on points with 3rd placed C&K Basildon Ladies who defeated them 1-0 last time out. Looking to get back to winning ways Crystal Palace Ladies were on home soil taking on West Ham United Ladies the visitors buoyed by a 6-2 win away to Cardiff City Ladies last weekend. A tough game for both sides it was a frustrating afternoon for Crystal Palace, West Ham United picking up another valuable point as the sides drew 0-0. A further blow for Crystal Palace as they lost Nikita Whinnett to injury having to be stretched off early in the game. Women’s Football East wishes her all the best for a full and speedy recovery.
C&K Basildon weren’t taking anything for granted as they headed west on Sunday to play bottom side Swindon Town Ladies still without a single point on the board after 14 games. A tough season for Swindon so far are battling hard took the lead in the game Mia Mugford making it 1-0 in the 17th minute. C&K Basildon responded well coming back quickly to not only level the score but take a 2-1 lead into the half-time break, Angela Addison with both goals. Captain Zoe Rushen adding a 3rd goal in the 2nd half seeing Basildon to a 3-1 win that takes them up to 2nd in the Southern Division table 2 points behind leaders Charlton.
Queens Park Rangers Ladies were on home soil on Sunday hosting Portsmouth FC Ladies. 4 points from there last 2 matches Queens Park Rangers were looking to build to two good away performances with a result at home against mid-table Portsmouth, the sides drawing 0-0 at the half-time whistle. A single goal was enough to claim all 3 points in the 2nd half coming 15 minutes from time, it was the visitors celebrating as Katie James netting the winning goal for Portsmouth the win taking them above Chichester City into 6th spot.
FAWPL South East Division One
The FAWPL South East Division One fixture list was hit by the weather 3 of the 5 scheduled games being postponed. Leyton Orient WFC 2nd in the table were looking to close a 5 point gap on leaders AFC Wimbledon Ladies as they played host to 5th placed Luton Town Ladies. There title ambitions taking a big dent however as Luton came away with a very good result. Stephanie Gale giving the visitors a 1-0 half-time lead. Natasha Fensome making it 2-0 in the 2nd half before a screamer from Lisa Nixon made it 3-0. Joanne Rutherford then missed a penalty hitting the bar as Leyton Orient were reduced to 10. Fensome with her 2nd securing a 4-0 win, that moves Luton right onto the tails of the sides above them.
Ipswich Town Ladies saw their own title hopes take a dent last weekend away to Leyton Orient. This weekend they were back on home soil taking on Denham United Ladies. The home side 4th in the table going 1-0 up in the 12th minute, an own goal conceded by Denham. The visitors responded straight away getting level 3 minutes later Kayleigh Currivan on target with the goal. 7 minutes left in the 1st half and Ipswich regained the lead Miagh Downey getting the goal to make it 2-1. Denham were back level within 4 minutes of the 2nd half kicking off, Sophie Cheadle with the goal to make it 2-2. An hour on the clock and Ipswich were awarded a penalty, captain Amanda Crump stepping up to the spot put the ball home to make it 3-2. Ipswich kept it this time and went on to get a 2 goal cushion in the last 15 minutes, Zoe Cossey getting on the scoresheet. Just 6 point separating the sides positioned 2 to 5th in the South East Division One table now.