The Round-Up
FA Women’s Cup – Sunday 5th February
This Sunday saw 11 tasty looking ties taking place across the country in the 3rd Round proper of the FA Women’s Cup, the round of the competition where the sides from FAWSL 2 enter playing their 1st competitive game before the new one off Spring Series starts next weekend. Should have been 12 ties however Doncaster Rovers Belles were awarded a home win after fellow FAWSL 2 side Watford Ladies pulled out of the competition. Hardly an uncommon thing to report on Women’s Football East, but in most instances it has been at county level not the 2nd tier of the National game. Troubling times and very sad for Watford Ladies, with the Spring Series just around the corner let’s hope the club can get it together not only for the good of the game but also the fans at the club. Watford has a very good youth set-up, and some that will get a mention in another Round-Up later on.
Out of the 11 ties that were played this Sunday 6 featured sides competing in the leagues covered by Women’s Football East. It was a long trip North for Tottenham Hotspur Ladies leading the FAWPL Southern Division as they travelled to the Sir Tom Finney Stadium to play Blackburn Rovers Ladies in the 3rd Round Proper of the FA Women’s Cup. Leading the FAWPL Northern Division this could also potentially be the FAWPL Play-off match come the end of the season both sides are unbeaten in their respective leagues with just the one draw each. For now it was all about the FA Women’s Cup, Blackburn took an early lead in the match Ella Toone putting them ahead inside the opening 10 minutes. It didn’t take Tottenham long to respond getting the scores level midway through the 1st half, Bianca Baptiste with the goal. A dramatic injury time winner saw Tottenham advance to the 4th Round draw as Wendy Martin headed the ball on from a goal kick falling to Baptiste who drove forwards pulled the trigger from outside the box sending the ball into the top corner of the net for her 2nd of the match and the winning goal. Tottenham will now be at home to FAWSL 2 new comers Brighton & Hove Albion WFC in the 4th Round Proper.
Brighton & Hove Albion WFC were playing their 1st competitive game since winning the FAWPL Play-off match back in May 2016 were drawn away to AFC Wimbledon Ladies, who were enjoying a good season so far laying 3rd in the FAWPL South East Division One table, following promotion last season. An attendance figure of around 550 for the game. Brighton took the lead as the 1st half was closing in on the 30 minute mark, Ellie Dorey putting the away side in front. Amy Taylor doubled the lead with 5 minutes of the 1st half left. Brighton were then awarded a penalty in the closing stages of the 1st half, Sophie Perry scoring from the spot to see Brighton lead 3-0 at the break. AFC Wimbledon pulled a goal back 17 minutes into the 2nd half, Hannah Searle finding the back of the net, Brighton didn’t concede again restoring their 3 goal lead with 6 minutes left Lucy Somes scoring as Brighton advanced in the FA Women’s Cup.
Cambridge United WFC were on a history making run in the FA Women’s Cup having made it through 4 rounds of the competition having beaten higher league opposition along the way leading the FAWPL South East Division One table for much of the season well placed for a title push. Had been at home in the previous 4 rounds, were away for the 1st time in the competition testing themselves against FAWSL 2 opposition as they travelled to Tamworth FC the new home of Aston Villa Ladies. It was the 1st competitive match of the season for the FAWSL 2 sides, have a mixed record in the FA Women’s Cup in recent seasons some going out early others doing well, Aston Villa Ladies were in the later category having reached the quarter finals in the past 2 seasons. Cambridge started well looked like it might be a competitive tie, having tested keeper Chloe Beattie at one end Cambridge gave away a free-kick in the 17th minute on half way the ball flighted up into the box was glanced on into the back of the net by Chloe Jones to give Aston Villa the lead. Aston Villa went on to dominate the 1st half 2 quickfire goals around the half hour mark from captain Bethan Merrick and midfielder Maddy Cusack saw them lead comfortably 3-0 at the break.
Maddy Cusack scorer of Aston Villa ladies 3rd goal on the ball
A life line for Cambridge at the start of the 2nd half as within the 1st minute they had pulled a goal back, Becky Taylor latching onto a poor pass at the back to round the keeper and make it 3-1. That however was as good as it got for the visitors as Aston Villa were intent on reaching the next round attacking at will, Mollie Rouse scoring twice to make it 5-1 before new signing Alice Hassall and academy graduate Chloe Dale both scored debut goals for to see Aston Villa Ladies win 7-1 and set up a local derby in the 4th Round Proper. The match was covered by the Supporting Women’s Football Blog and the full report can be found below this post or by clicking on the link below.
Aston Villa Ladies 7-1 Cambridge United WFC
Their opponents in the 4th Round of the FA Women’s Cup will be Coventry United Ladies after they knocked out FAWSL 2 side Oxford United Ladies for the 2nd time in the FA Women’s Cup in 3 seasons. Were at home this time around at Pack Meadow taking an early lead with Alison Hall heading the ball into the back of the net from a Helen Dermody corner in the 5th minute. Held onto the 1-0 advantage at half-time. Jade Brook with a screamer! (quoting the twitter feed here) doubling Coventry’s lead 5 minutes into the 2nd half, went on to win 2-0 and reach the 4th Round where they will welcome Aston Villa Ladies to Pack Meadow.
Elsewhere it wasn’t such good news for the FAWPL Southern Division. Charlton Athletic Ladies were at home in the 3rd Round Proper taking on FAWSL 2 side Sheffield FC Ladies. The two sides went into the dressing room goalless after the 1st half. Sheffield going on to take the lead in the 2nd half Sophie Jones heading the ball into the back of the net. Went on to secure the win to advance into the 4th Round, new signing Natasha Flint scoring from 25 yards getting her 1st competitive goal for Sheffield. Will be at home to Doncaster Rovers Belles in the 4th Round Proper.
Lewes Ladies made the long journey up to the West Midlands to play FAWPL Northern Division side West Bromich Albion Women. The FAWPL Southern Division side took an early lead in the tie Danielle Lane scoring for Lewes in the 12th minute. The sides went into the dressing rooms level at the break however with Trina Greaves pulling the scores level for West Bromich just before the half hour mark. The home side going on to take the lead with Greaves scoring her 2nd of the game in the 63rd minute before 2nd half substitute, Leigh Dugmore made it 3-1 with 15 minutes left to knock Lewes out of the FA Women’s Cup. West Bromich Albion Women will be at home to fellow FAWPL North Division side Leicester City Women in the 4th Round Proper.
The full draw for the FA Women’s Cup 4th Round Proper draw ties to be played Sunday 19th February, winner receive £2,000
Durham Women FC v Everton Ladies
Coventry United Ladies v Aston Villa Ladies
Millwall Lionesses v Nottingham Forest Ladies
West Bromich Albion Women v Leicester City Women
Tottenham Hotspur Ladies v Brighton & Hove Albion WFC
Sheffield FC Ladies v Doncaster Rovers Belles