Sunday 6th January
FA Women’s Cup
Happy New Year to you all! The first edition of The Round-Up for 2019 the action beginning with the 3rd Round of the FA Women’s Cup. 10 ties across the country the competition seeing the sides from both the FAWSL and Championship enter in the 4th Round.
No sides from outside the FAWNL making it to this stage of the competition. 7 of the 10 ties featuring clubs playing in either the Southern Premier or South East Division One.
Coventry United Ladies leading the Southern Premier Division unbeaten so far this season were hosting Crawley Wasps Ladies, the leaders in South East Division One, with an equally impressive start to the season a 100% success rate so far. Two in form sides going head to head it was Coventry who opened the scoring attacking down the right a cross sent into the area put in at the far post by Amber Hughes in the 26th minute. Crawley hitting back with an instant reply Ariana Fleischman up the other end getting the final touch to level the scores. 1-1 at the break. Both sides creating opportunities in the 2nd period Megan Stow seeing an effort strike the woodwork for the visitors just past the hour dug in as Coventry pressed. Into stoppage time with the game heading into extra-time, Crawley found the winning goal, Darcey James heading in a Naomi Cole corner to see Crawley beat their higher league opponents to reach the 4th Round.
Northern Premier Division leaders, Blackburn Rovers Ladies are into the 4th Round of the FA Women’s Cup although it took a last minute winner to secure their place on the road away to Oxford United Women in the 3rd Round on Sunday. A fast paced 1st half between the two sides looked to be heading into the changing rooms goalless at half-time when deep into injury time Evie Gane tapped the ball home to give the Southern Premier Division side, Oxford the lead. Blackburn came back to level the scores midway through the 2nd half Natasha Flint finding the back of the net, then in the closing minute it was Flint on target worth her 2nd of the match to clinch the victory for Blackburn.
Had planned a trip to Nottingham this Sunday, circumstances against me however as Nottingham Forest Ladies stalwarts of the Northern Premier Division played host to Milton Keynes Dons Ladies newly promoted to the Southern Premier Division in the 3rd Round. A tight contest between the two sides, a single goal the winning margin, scored in the 2nd minute of 1st half stoppage time, Kim Farrow getting one on one with the keeper to put Milton Keynes Dons Ladies into the lead the visitors holding on to win and reach the 4th Round for the 1st time.
It was a long trip up to the North East for Southern Premier Division side Watford Ladies as they took on Middlesborough Women from the Northern Premier Division in the 3rd Round of the Cup. Midfielder Danielle Scanlon with the early goal for the visitors seeing Watford 1-0 up after 7 minutes just 3 minutes later Watford were 2 goals to the good Helen Ward scoring. Both sides attacking chances coming Middlesborough pulling it back to 2-1 on 18 minutes through Emily Scarr. Just two minutes later Watford were back ahead by 2 goals with Ward netting for the 2nd time to make it 3-1. Eleanor Drake on the scoresheet for the hosts to reduce the deficit once again on the half hour. Watford when into the half-time break with their 2 goal cushion restored as Katie O’Leary scored to make it 4-2 in the 39th minute. The visitors having the better of the 2nd half as the home side pushed from a reply, Samantha Hailsworth making it 5-2 on the hour. Into the final 10 minutes and Ward scored twice more to claim 4 for the game and secure a 7-2 win for Watford.
Plenty of goals too between Billericay Town Ladies and Loughborough Foxes Women in the 3rd Round as the Essex side 2nd in South East Division One took on their higher league placed opponents. Billericay taking an early lead in the game Sam Pittuck volleying home in the 5th minute. Loughborough quick with the response levelling the scores within 3 minutes Rebecca Knight scoring to make it 1-1. 3 minutes later Loughborough were in front Rebecca Mcgrother with the goal. Amy Burle with a terrific save to deny Karissa Rodney a goal on the half hour soon after Mcgrother found the back of the net up the other end to put Loughborough 3-1 up. That the score at half-time Billericay started the 2nd half strongly pushing for a goal chances Burle saving once more. The game closing in on the final 20 minute Loughborough further extending their lead, Eva Rogers played through and sending the ball past the keeper to make it 4-1 for the visitors. Zoe Rushen pulling it back to 4-2 with 10 minutes left. Burle busy in the Loughborough goal, Rushen beating her for her 2nd of the game to set up a nervy final five minutes Loughborough holding out to win the game 4-3.
Cardiff City Ladies were hosting Bolton Wanderers Ladies from Northern Division One in the 3rd Round of the FA Women’s Cup on Sunday. An early goal helping settle any nerves the Southern Premier Division side might have Cori Williams heading in from a corner in the 7th minute. Kylie Nolan with the final shot from a break making it 2-0 on 15 minutes. Those goals proving enough with Bolton unable to find a reply, Cardiff progressing.
AFC Wimbledon Ladies, 3rd in South East Division One were on the road in the FA Women’s Cup on Sunday taking on higher league opponents Hull City Ladies from the Northern Premier Division. A goalless 1st half between the sides, it was Wimbledon who enjoyed the better of the 2nd half Katie Stanley putting them a goal up just past the hour mark. Jordan Hoesli-Atkins doubling the visitors lead just 7 minutes later to put Wimbledon 2-0 up and with Hull pushing later on for a goal Georgia Heasman secured victory for Wimbledon scoring their 3rd goal in injury time.
In the other 3 3rd Round ties, Stoke City Ladies won 2-1 away to Derby County Ladies. Huddersfield Town Ladies were 4-1 winners at home to Leeds United Ladies and Keynsham Town Ladies doing well in South West Division One beat Flyde Ladies 2-1 at home.
The FA Women’s Cup 4th Round draw – ties to be played Sun 3rd February
Yeovil Town Ladies v Birmingham City Lades
AFC Wimbledon Ladies v Bristol City Women
Crystal Palace Ladies v Tottenham Hotspur Ladies
Millwall Lionesses v Lewes FC Women
Durham Women v Cardiff City Ladies
Everton Ladies v Chelsea Women
Leicester City Women v London Bees
Reading FC Women v Keynsham Town Ladies
Liverpool Women v Milton Keynes Dons Ladies
Loughborough Foxes Women v Sheffield United Women
Charlton Athletic Women v Huddersfield Town Ladies
Brighton & Hove Albion WFC v Manchester United Women
West Ham United Women v Blackburn Rovers Ladies
Stoke City Ladies v Aston Villa Ladies
Manchester City Women v Watford FC Ladies
Crawley Wasps Ladies v Arsenal Women