Page 4 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.18 2022-23

Birmingham City claimed a WSL scalp as they booked their
place in the Fifth Round of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup.
The Blues, who are attempting to regain their top flight status
following relegation at the end of last season, would have given
themselves a huge confidence boost by winning 1-0 away to Everton, Jade Pennock scoring
the only goal of the game just after the hour mark.
Birmingham, who were winners of the competition in 2012, will face Championship
opponents in the last sixteen as they must take on Charlton Athletic.
The Addicks, former Cup winners themselves, were seeing the other side of the coin as
they travelled to AFC Wimbledon but avoided a potential upset by running out 5-1
winners. Freda Ayisi and Kiera Skeels put Charlton two ahead inside the opening eleven
minutes and Angela Addison made it three before half time. Bethan Roe and Melissa
Johnson put a further gloss on the scoreline after the break, before Ashlee Hincks netted a
consolation against her former side late on.
Cardiff City Ladies also produced a stunning result on the day, a 4-1 victory at
Burnley FC Women. The home side are unbeaten in the league this season and chasing a
Championship place but Cardiff started the match in superb fashion and after captain Cori
Williams gave them the lead, Laura Williams netted a quickfire double to put them three up
at half time. Ingrid Aadland further increased their lead after the break, before Evie Priestley
replied for the Clarets in the dying minutes.
Jamie Philip’s side now have the chance to play second tier opponents as they have been
paired with Lewes, who came through an awkward tie against Ipswich Town. The Tractor
Girls got as far as the quarter finals last season but this time the Rookettes ensured they
would go no further, courtesy of a goal from Emily Kraft fourteen minutes from time.
Holders Chelsea were not given the easiest of draws to start their defence and this
turned out to be the case as they won 3-2 against Liverpool. Sam Kerr was the heroine for
Chelsea as she hit a hat-trick to see her side through, despite a spirited Liverpool side
replying through Ceri Holland and Gemma Bonner.
The next draw for Chelsea will be an even tougher one, as they will be at home to
Arsenal in what is undoubtedly the tie of the round. The Gunners had a much more
straightforward passage into the last sixteen, scoring nine times without reply against Leeds
Utd from three tiers below. Stina Blackstenius netted two of the goals and she was joined on
the scoresheet by Caitlin Foord, Kathrine Moller Kuhl, Kim Little, Lina Hurtig, Jennifer
Beattie, Michelle Agyemang and Viktoria Palova.
Manchester Utd were pushed hard by Sunderland before emerging as 2-1 winners.
Nikita Parris put United ahead just before half time and after Abby Holmes equalised
midway through the second half, Parris netted her second two minutes later to take her side
into the Fifth Round.
United will now be at home to Durham Women, who kept their cup run going with a
3-0 victory over Crystal Palace. The Wildcats made a strong start with Mollie Lambert and
Jess Clarke scoring inside the opening sixteen minutes, before Lily Crosthwaite secured the
win with the third goal late on.
Manchester City booked their place in the last sixteen with a 7-0 victory against
Sheffield Utd. Khadija Shaw once again led the scoring with a hat-trick, Julie Blakstad
contributed a brace and there was one apiece from Chloe Kelly and Deyna Castellanos.
The former winners will face familiar opposition in the next round, having been drawn
away to Bristol City who they met in the quarter finals of the Continental Cup last week.
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