The Round-Up
Sunday 7th October
FA Women’s Cup
The 3rd and final Round of Qualifying for this season’s FA Women’s Cup took place this Sunday with 60 sides vying for a place in the 1st Round Proper of the competition. 8 of those ties involving sides playing in the leagues covered by Women’s Football East.
One ERWFL Premier Division side guaranteed a place in the 1st Round Proper with Acle United Women hosting Cambridge City Ladies, currently 3rd and 2nd in the Division respectfully. Cambridge City getting off to a great start Laura Mills scoring after a couple of minutes play. The visitors looking to add to their lead Acle keeping them out a 1-0 lead at the break. Acle pushing hard for the equalising goal 2nd half Cambridge City saved by the woodwork twice defending their and making history in the progress reaching the 1st Round Proper for the 1st time in their history.
Also from the ERWFL Premier Division, Wymondham Town Ladies who have had some memorable moments in the FA Women’s Cup in recent season’s were hosting Billericay Town Ladies, the Essex side newly promoted to FAWNL South East Division One with a strong start to life at the higher level. It was to this game Women’s Football East headed on Sunday. A good start to the match from Billericay pressing the attack, awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position just outside the box, Zoe Rushen driving the ball into the top corner to give the visitors the lead, the lead doubled through a Jay Blackie header from a corner kick, two warning shots from previous corners no mistake on the 3rd a bullet header at the near post to make it 2-0.
The game turned on it’s head with 5 minutes left to play in the 1st half, Billericay goalkeeper, Alex Baker sent off for bringing down, Wymondham’s Laura Nicholls as she ran through towards the top of the area. Nicholls scoring the resulting penalty. With Nicole Farmer taking over in goal Billericay looking to see the half out, Carolyn Sarafian tried her luck from distance on target over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net to see Wymondham bring it back to 2-2.
Billericay Town Ladies captain, Lindsey Morgan with Wymondham’s Kayleigh Holloway
A player advantage for the 2nd half Billericay needing to work hard continued to create openings the game end to end at times Wymondham took the lead with 20 minutes left Hannah Waters pressurising the ball as defender and goalkeeper closed in on one another top of the area the ball loose Waters sending it over both to make it 3-2. Billericay kept going determined to get back into it pressing forwards a ball lifted into the area captain Lindsey Morgan rising highest powering a header back across goal to make it 3-3. Closing in on the final whistle Billericay pounced to score the winning goal Rushen closing in on the keeper as she sets herself to gather the ball the pair coming together, Rushen after the loose ball across the face of goal turning it in the goal standing Billericay winning the game 4-3 to advance.
One other ERWFL side left in the competition Histon Ladies from Division One, drawn away to Lincolnshire side, Nettleham Ladies newly promoted to FAWNL Midlands Division One. Two leagues between the sides Nettleham proving the stronger on the day enjoying a good first half after riding some early pressure from Histon an own goal putting the home side into the lead, goals from Lucy Farrow, Katie Thornley, Abigail Ringrose and a brace from Ellie Thompson-Moulding seeing Nettleham leading 6-0. A 2nd goal for Farrow along with goals for Holly Newman and Holly Wilson seeing Nettleham comfortably through to the 1st Round Proper.
Luton Town Ladies were drawn at home in 3rd Round Qualifying taking on lower league side Oxford City Ladies this Sunday. Luton fielding a young side with 2 debutants took an early lead Aurora Ryan sending the ball past the keeper to score after 5 minutes. Oxford City coming back to level the scores midway through the 2nd half. Nicola Henman quickly restoring Luton’s lead heading home from a corner kick with Erica Bryon making it 3-1 on the half hour, Oxford City reducing the lead to 3-2. Luton leading at the break, 2 late goals in the 88th minute and stoppage time seeing Bryon complete her hat-trick and secure the win for Luton.
AFC Wimbledon Ladies also at home in 3rd Round Qualifying taking on lower league side Godalming Town Ladies in the FA Women’s Cup, Laura Quinn-Low netting twice in the space of 3 minutes late in the 1st half to see Wimbledon leading 2-0 at half-time. Sophie Manzi scoring to make it 3-0 with a little under 20 minutes left Caroline Bisson introduced to the action in the 64th minute making it 4-0 with quarter of an hour left to see Wimbledon safely through to the 1st Round Proper.
Norwich City Ladies were at home in 3rd Round Qualifying taking on fellow FAWNL South East Division One side, Enfield Town Ladies. Both coming into the match on the backs of good home wins in the league in midweek. Enfield beating Stevenage Ladies 4-0. Norwich 3-0 winners over Cambridge United. Norwich having by far the better of the 1st half going into the dressing room holding a 4-0 advantage. Chelsea Garrett celebrating a hat-trick, Laura Thacker scorer of the other Norwich goal. That lead successfully defended 2nd half to see Norwich advance in the FA Women’s Cup.
FAWNL South East Division One leaders, Crawley Wasps Ladies were drawn away to Chesham United Ladies playing in South West Division One in 3rd Round Qualifying. Goalless between the pair at half-time Crawley Wasps getting their noses in front mid-way through the 2nd period Emma Plewa coming on in the 64th minute scoring just 3 minutes later. That the score going into the final minute of the match Plewa on target again to put Crawley Wasps 2-0 to the good, Megan Stow’s cross/shot flying into the back of the net in stoppage time sending Crawley Wasps on into the next round of the FA Women’s Cup.
The last of the FA Women’s Cup, 3rd Round Qualifying ties to bring you requiring a penalty shootout to decide the winner. An all FAWNL South East Division One affair at Mildenhall Town FC, Cambridge United Women hosting Stevenage Ladies. Kelley Blanchflower pouncing on a goalkeeping error to steal the ball take it past her and score to put Cambridge into the lead midway through the 1st half. 1-0 up at the break substitute Mollie Coupar with a strong header inside the area to double the advantage to Cambridge with 20 minutes left. Stevenage fighting back pushing forwards to find a reply brought it back to 2-1 then equalised close to the end of the 90 to force the tie into extra-time Amy Makewell and Ellie Searle with the goals. Neither finding the winner in the extra 30 the tie heading to a shootout Cambridge’s first penalty saved, Stevenage scoring their 1st two. The next two were missed however Cambridge converting their winning it on the 5th strike to go through to the next round.
The First Round Proper draw made on Monday 15 ties pulled out of the hat still regionalised somewhat 5 ties will feature sides from the East those selected ties below:-
Cambridge City Ladies v Cambridge United Women
Norwich City Ladies v Billericay Town Ladies
New London Lionesses v AFC Wimbledon Ladies
Luton Town Ladies v Kent United Ladies
Crawley Wasps Ladies v Queens Park Rangers Girls
Ties to be played Sunday 11th November a 1pm kick-off with the winners receiving £850.