Adobe Women’s FA Cup
Chatham Town made club history by reaching the Fifth Round of the Adobe Women's FA Cup for the first time,
securing a comfortable 3-0 victory over fellow fourth-tier side York City.
Playing in the FA Women's National League Division One South East, the Chats dominated with three rapid first half goals. Ellie Jeffkins opened the scoring with a spectacular direct strike from a corner, before Amelia Woodgate finished off two superb team moves to put the hosts firmly in control.
Chatham now stand as the lowest-ranked team in the last sixteen, joining Oxford United as the only remaining FA Women's National League representatives after the U's produced a thrilling comeback against Middlesbrough. Oxford trailed 1-0 to Becky Ferguson's goal for ‘Boro with fifteen minutes remaining, but Maisy Barker equalised five minutes from time. Riva Casley then headed home a dramatic last-minute winner, with Holly Manders adding a long range strike in stoppage time to seal a 3-1 win for the third-tier side.
Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur eased into the next round with a 3-0 win over Women's Super League rivals Leicester City in Sunday's early kick off. Beth England broke the deadlock after 24 minutes, before a Drew Spence own goal against her former club doubled the lead fifteen minutes from the end and Lenna Gunning-Williams completed the scoring in stoppage time.
Manchester City were ruthless in a 6-0 thrashing of FAWNL Southern Premier Division leaders AFC Bournemouth away from home. Khadija Shaw and Lauren Hemp opened the scoring, with Laura Coombs and Vivianne Miedema both netting twice to wrap up the comprehensive victory.
Liverpool also hit six without reply against London Bees, with new signing Denise O'Sullivan marking her debut with a goal just six minutes in. Martha Thomas and Alice Bergström both scored braces, while Gemma Evans added another.
Manchester United progressed with a 5-0 win over Burnley FC Women, featuring goals from five different scorers. Maya Le Tissier and Julia Zigiotti Olme put United two up early, before Simi Awujo curled home a stunning long range effort to make it 3-0. New signing Lea Schüller netted her first for the club after the break, with Layla Drury rounding off the scoring.
Arsenal, the 14-time winners, secured their place with a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa in their live televised tie. Stina Blackstenius and Kim Little struck in the second half to ensure progress. Brighton & Hove Albion meanwhile edged past Nottingham Forest 2-0, thanks to stoppage time goals at the end of each half from Madison Haley and Jelena Cankovic.
Holders Chelsea commenced their defence of the trophy by beating Crystal Palace 5-0. Sam Kerr netted a goal in each half, with Millie Bright having put the Blues ahead and Guro Reiten slotting home from the penalty spot on the half hour. Alyssa Thompson rounded off the scoring with the final goal, twenty minutes from time. London City Lionesses meanwhile negotiated a difficult trip to Sunderland when Wassa Sangare headed in the only goal of the game from a corner, five minutes into the second half.
The weekend's biggest scoreline came from Charlton Athletic, who scored ten times without reply past previously unbeaten Swindon Town at The Valley. Amalie Thestrup netted a hat-trick whilst Emma Bissell and Katie Lockwood each contributed braces for the Addicks, with Jodie Hutton, Karin Muya and Gillian Kenney also getting on the scoresheet.
Charlie Devlin's brace helped Sheffield United overcome Ipswich Town 2-1, Lucy O’Brien having equalised for the Tractor Girls just before half time, whilst Ellie Syme's late winner sent Bristol City through after extra time in a 2-1 victory over Southampton. Syme had earlier sent the game into the extra period when she cancelled out Michaela McAlonie’s earlier strike for the Saints.
Birmingham City advanced with a 6-2 win at Hull City, leading 4-0 at half time courtesy of goals from Chelsea Cornet, Lily Crosthwaite, Lotta Lindström and Veatriki Sarri. Shanade Hopcroft and Asato Miyagawa added to the Blues’ tally during the second half after Hull pulled two goals back through Ellie Tanser and Sophie Haywood.
