The Round-Up
Sunday 10th February
FA Women’s Cup
The weather effecting a large percentage of the women’s football fixtures last weekend with the FA Women’s Cup being no exception with 50% of the fixtures from the 4th Round postponed at the beginning of February, those fixture arranged to be played this Sunday the rain threatening a few but all of the 8 remaining ties were played, the 5th Round already drawn the winners knowing who they would face in the last 16 of the competition. 5 of the 8 ties involving sides who play or have played in the leagues covered by Women’s Football East.
It was a plum away draw in the 4th Round of the FA Women’s Cup for FAWNL Southern Premier Division side, Milton Keynes Dons Ladies, a 1-0 away win against Nottingham Forest Ladies of the Northern Premier Division seeing them up against FAWSL side, Liverpool FC Women. Kept the scores level for the first half an hour before a quick fire double from Laura Coombs and Courtney Sweetman-Kirk with her 10th goal of the season saw the FAWSL side take a 2-0 lead.
2-0 up at the break Liverpool were creating chances the lead extended on the hour when centre back Leandra Little headed the ball home for her first Liverpool goal. New signing Jemma Purfield making her debut scoring moments later her left foot strike making it 4-0. Ashley Hodson coming on for Liverpool in the 67th minute making her return after 9 months out injured, marked her return with a goal scoring with 10 minutes left, with Purfield adding a 6th goal for Liverpool in the final 5 minutes to see them safely through to the last 16 with a 6-0 win.
An all Championship tie in the 4th Round saw Lewes FC Women travelling to Dartford FC to play Millwall Lionesses who were without a win so far this season. A close game that got feisty towards the end Lewes pressing. Cards shown amongst them a red for Lewes Amy Taylor sent off in the 84th minute. The game looked to be heading into extra-time a late corner for Millwall the ball on the left played high into the box players forwards amongst them Grace Neville clear on the far side of the area meets the ball on the half volley rifling a shot into the back of the net and sending Millwall through to the 5th Round and an away tie against Liverpool with the clubs first victory of the season.
Cardiff City Ladies from the FAWNL Southern Premier Division were making the long trip up to the North East to take on Championship side Durham FC Women in the 4th Round of the FA Women’s Cup. The welsh side falling behind within the opening 10 minutes as Abby Holmes nodded home at the far post to score her 1st goal for Durham. A chance for Cardiff to level from the penalty spot Kylie Nolan brought down inside the box up up take the spot kick her attempt saved by Durham keeper Megan Borthwick. Nolan recovering to score the equalising goal in the 23rd minute. 1-1 with a couple of minutes remaining in the first half Beth Hepple latching onto a shot after the ball is cleared off the line from a Sarah Wilson effort to see Durham retake the lead.
2-1 at half-time Sarah Robson was introduced to the action by Durham and made a immediate impact getting a goal in the 50th minute to extend the Championship sides lead. Further chances fell the win not made fully secure until the final 10 minutes with Zoe Ness scoring a late brace to see Durham run out 5-1 winners and progress to the last 16 where they will be making a long trip themselves to take on FAWSL side Bristol City WFC.
A late switch of pitches saw the game between Loughborough Foxes Women of the FAWNL Southern Premier Division and Sheffield United Women of the FA Women’s Championship go ahead. Jodie Bartle returning to the side for Loughborough after a 3 month injury lay off. A lively start both goalkeepers called into action Alethea Paul firing Sheffield into the lead with 14 minutes played. Sam Tierney then striking the crossbar for the visitors. Amy Burle in goal for Loughborough making some good saves to keep Sheffield’s lead down to a single goal at the break. The Championship side creating chances doubled their advantage within the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half Sami Veatriki scoring to make it 2-0. Sheffield defending their lead to book their place in the last 16 with a trip to Aston Villa Ladies awaiting.
It when all the way to penalties in the game between Charlton Athletic Women and Huddersfield Town Ladies in the 4th Round of the FA Women’s Cup on Sunday. Both sides currently 2nd in their respective leagues, Charlton doing very well in their debut season in the Championship, Huddersfield in the FAWNL Northern Premier Division. Charlton taking an early lead in the match with Kit Graham finding the back of the net in the 6th minute. Charlotte Gurr adding Charlton’s 2nd in the 34th minute. The hosts enjoying the better of the 1st half Lily Agg seeing two goals ruled off for off-side. Charlton further extending their lead midway through the 2nd half with Graham getting on the scoresheet for her 2nd goal of the afternoon.
Charlton 3-0 up with the game closing in of the final 15 minutes, Huddersfield mounted an extraordinary comeback to send the game into extra-time two quick goals setting up a nervous end to the game with Brittany Sanderson making it 3-1, Laura Elford lobbing the keeper moments later for 3-2. The come back complete with 5 minutes left on the clock captain Katie Mallin with the goal to send the game into extra-time. No further goals added the sides heading into a penalty shootout. Huddersfield’s Laura Carter saving Charlton’s 2nd penalty her teammates all with successful spot kicks to win the shootout 5-4 and send them into the last 16 with an away trip to FAWSL’s West Ham United Women.
The 5th Round games being played this coming Sunday 17th February below the draw in full:-
Liverpool FC Women v Millwall Lionesses
Bristol City WFC v Durham FC Women
Reading FC Women v Birmingham City Women
Chelsea Women v Arsenal Women
Manchester United Women v London Bees
West Ham United Women v Huddersfield Town Ladies
Aston Villa Ladies v Sheffield United Women
Tottenham Hotspur Ladies v Manchester City Women