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Portchy make history

AFC Portchester 2 Pucklechurch Sports 0

AFC Portchester reached the First Round 0f the Women's FA Cup for the first time with a superb team performance against Pucklechurch Sports at the On-Site Group Stadium.

Two first half goals gave the hosts an advantage which they protected brilliantly against a good Pucklechurch team to ensure progress in front of a crowd of 278, the highest ever for the Portchy women's team.

 

Two clubs with records of success in their respective brief histories promised an intriguing match and so it proved early on with both teams threatening an early strike. Puckles keeper Ellie Soper denied Charmaine True on ten minutes but was beaten from the spot just a minute later as True was brought down before converted the penalty.

 

Kim Maggs was inches away from equalising on 16 minutes as she headed an inviting cross from the right just wide of Roxy Roberts' goal. Both sides looked capable of creating openings and there were several corners at both ends, all of which were well dealt with by strong central defences.

 

As the match entered first half additional time Eilidh Currie, who was very influential throughout in midfield, doubled the lead superbly from the edge of the area after Sara Hinton had done well to regain the ball.

 

The second half was a stop-start affair as the excellent commitment of both sides led to a series of injury delays and rather assisted the home team who protected their lead expertly despite a spirited rally from the South Western League Premier Division visitors, who were missing the services of leading scorer Adele Hooper.

 

Roberts was called into action three times around the 75 minute mark, saving well from a Sophie Sweet free kick before racing out to claim a through ball under pressure at the edge of the area.

 

Apart from these moments, the home defence was rock solid despite having lost Brooke Marshall to injury early on. Every AFC Portchester player remained focused and worked extremely hard to cover, tackle and clear whenever danger threatened right up to the final whistle.

 

Claiming a second FA Cup win over good higher level opponents, after their victory away to Eastleigh in the Community, has taken AFC Portchester to new heights. For Pucklechurch Sports there is always next season's FA Cup ... and just maybe a home tie after SEVEN successive away ties in the cups over the years!

AFC Portchester: Roxy Roberts, Sophie Bell, Ellie Hooker, Sam Jennings, Brooke Marshall, Lynsey Crewe, Sara Hinton, Paula Taylor, Eilidh Currie, Millie Bradbury, Charmaine True. Subs: Aimee Hall-Guy, Ella Wilson, Summer Williams, Hannah Walker, Oceana Adams.

Pucklechurch Sports: Ellie Soper, Leigha Milkins, Jess Werrett, Chloe Rogers, Laura Ballard, Chloe Morley, Jess Frazer, Melody Lewis, Sophie Sweet, Kim Maggs, Jodie Arkell. Subs: Eve Trivett, Morgan Wollen, Lilly Farr, Reese Kendall.  

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