Adobe Women’s FA Cup
It was a good day for lower tier clubs in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup Second Round with a number of higher division
scalps taken.
Chatham Town edged past Exeter City, beating them 4-3 on penalties following a thrilling 2-2 draw at Newton Abbot. Ellie Jeffkins was the architect of the comeback, hauling the Chats level twice with two exquisite long range strikes, after Phoebe Baker and Georgia Vaccaro had put Exeter ahead on each occasion. When it came to the shootout, goalkeeper Simone Eligon – the hero of their First Round penalty win over AFC Wimbledon – repeated the trick with two outstanding saves to send Chatham into the third round for the first time.
Dartford are having a great season in the London & South East League and they reached the Third Round for the first time in their history by beating Keynsham Town 2-1 in front of their highest ever home crowd. First half goals from Mya Lewis-Powell and Abbey Davies gave the Darts their win, despite Keynsham pulling one back late on through Megan Bible.
North West League leaders AFC Fylde had a great day, running out 4-0 winners over Kidderminster Harriers. Ocean Flanagan gave the Coasters a first half lead and they went on to add further goals after the break through Georgia Payton, Lois Moore and Emma Hickson.
Mancunian Unity meanwhile came from behind to beat Durham Cestria 2-1. After a goalless first half, Faye Dale gave Durham the lead but Elizabeth Ince levelled from the penalty spot, before Sadie Mitchell’s 76th minute effort – helped over the line after the keeper’s parry – sealed the upset.
Royston Town emerged as winners from a well contested tie at the Hand Stadium, beating Bridgwater Utd on a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw. Bridgwater looked to be on their way to victory when Connie Pengelly gave them the lead from the penalty spot with ten minutes remaining but an injury time equaliser from Hannah Bodily sent the game into a shootout, where the Eastern Region League side triumphed 4-2 to keep their best ever run in the competition going.
Burnley FC Women made light of an awkward looking tie against Norwich City as Charlie Chadwick, Alethea Paul, Emma Siddall and Aimee Kelly fired them to a 4-0 victory. Abigail Podmore gave Stockport County the lead at Derby County but after Emily Joyce equalised just before the break, second half goals from Rebecca May, Georgia Stevens and Minnie Wilson saw the Ewes run out 4-1 winners. Liverpool Feds netted five times without reply past Boldmere St Michaels thanks to Faye Coulthard, Chloe Fisher, Chantelle Thompson, Mia Parry and Emma Johnson.
Middlesbrough continued their Cup run as an Abby Holmes double and Lauren Robson took them to a 3-0 victory over Northampton Town, whilst Sporting Khalsa defeated Hednesford Town 2-0 thanks to late goals from Ania Denham and Skye Owen. Hope Knight bagged a four-goal for Hull City in their 7-1 success at Stourbridge. Maiya Akrill, Jessica Tugby-Andrew and Izzy Gigg chipped in with the Tigresses’ other goals, with Jessica Edwards replying.
The action started on Friday night with the live televised clash between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Stoke City, and it was Wolves who progressed with a 2-0 victory. Beth Merrick continued her fine FA Cup record by firing Wolves in front and Rachael Quigley sealed the win with a well taken second. West Bromwich Albion join their rivals in the next round after Ellie May and Amya Hammond-McLean gave them a 2-0 win over Cambridge Utd at the Alexander Stadium.
Lewes produced an impressive performance when winning 4-0 away to Cheltenham Town whilst AFC Bournemouth won 7-1 at Leyton Orient. In the week of her first call up for the Wales senior side, two first half goals from Phoebie Poole guided Plymouth Argyle to a 2-0 win against Gwalia Utd and Oxford Utd also progressed by beating Luton Town 3-1. Holly Manders netted twice and Naomi Bedeau the other for the U’s, with Leyah Maddix replying.
Sian Gibrill-Keating, Izzy Elliott and Drew Greene were all on the scoresheet for Leeds Utd in their 3-1 success away to Huddersfield Town, whose late consolation came from Rebecca Beresford. York City swept into the Third Round when they also won 3-1 against Wroxham, thanks to a Rosie Bell brace and Ruby Watt.
Leafield Athletic were the other team to prevail on penalties, beating Worcester City 4-3 from the spot after the teams had battled out a 1-1 draw. Maia Clark had given Worcester an eighth minute lead, with Chloe Shirley equalising just after the hour.
Fulham made the trip to Bristol Rovers and took their league form into the cup, returning with a 3-1 victory under their belts. Kayleigh Stead, Ellie Olds and Jade Bradley all scored a goal apiece for the Cottagers, with Rovers’ consolation coming from Megan Jarvis. London Bees meanwhile produced a strong performance to beat Portishead Town 5-0, Millie Isherwood was on target twice for the Bees along with Aria Heil, Samantha Lanza Gabian and Betty Larkin. Swindon Town eased to a 3-0 win away to Oxford City, Annabelle Colston continuing her excellent form by hitting a hat-trick.
Altrincham made club history by reaching the Third Round for the first time, a second half goal from captain Natalie Lowe being enough to see off Ponteland Utd 1-0, which means that they are the last remaining team from Tier 6 left in the competion. Sutton Utd join them in the next round after Milly Cutler scored twice and Beth Humphrey the other in their 3-2 success at Bowers & Pitsea.
Three of the scheduled ties fell victim to the weather and are due to be played this coming Sunday.
