Page 12 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.15 2021-22

The Vitality Women’s FA Cup

Better weather over the past weekend means that the remaining
Vitality Women's FA Cup Second Round ties were all completed,
meaning a full Third Round programme is set for this Sunday.
Nottingham Forest produced a stunning result when
winning 4-0 away to Wolverhampton Wanderers. The home side
went into the game with an unbeaten record in all competitions so far this season but it was Forest
who took a first half lead through Mai Moncaster, and they went on to seal the win with further
goals after the break from Naomi Powell, Niamh Reynolds and Katie Middleton. Forest will be
away to another Northern Premier Division side in Stoke City, who were 5-1 winners over
Norwich City. Alison Hall netted a goal in each half for Stoke and she was joined on the
scoresheet by Roisin Kivel, Naomi Bedeau and Nuala Miszkiel.
Brighouse Town meanwhile ended the hopes of Farsley Celtic by beating them 8-0.
Leah Embley led the scoring for Town with a four-goal haul, whilst Cara Fields and Amy Woodruff
both contributed doubles to help land Brighouse a plum home tie with Sunderland this week.
Three second half goals took Huddersfield Town on their way to a 3-0 victory away to
Sheffield FC and a home meeting with Loughborough Lightning. Paige Crossman opened the
scoring for Huddersfield just ahead of the hour mark and after an own goal doubled their lead,
Brittany Sanderson added the final goal in injury time.
Ipswich Town secured themselves a trip to AFC Wimbledon after they defeated
Crawley Wasps 4-0. Lucy Egan, Natasha Thomas and Zoe Barratt all scored a goal apiece for the
Tractor Girls, along with an own goal.
Leeds Utd won 2-1 away to Norton & Stockton Ancients to book themselves a home
tie with Durham Women. Leeds took an early lead through Aaliyah Nolan, which was cancelled
out before the break by Shannon Reed. Kathryn Smith settled matters in Leeds' favour late on when
she scored the winning goal.
Chorley eased through by running out 5-0 winners against Bradford City. Beth Worth
put the Lancashire side in front after three minutes, before doubles from Ellie Cleary and Aleesha
Collins completed a result which means that Chorley will host Newcastle Utd in the Third Round.
Lincoln City edged past Leafield Athletic with a narrow 3-2 victory. Jessica Rousseau
netted twice, including a late winner, and Amy Blinkhorn added the other for Lincoln who will now
play host to Northampton Town. Cesca Partridge slotted in an injury time penalty to give
Northampton a 2-1 win away to Lye Town, to add to Emma Billeness' strike.
Chesham Utd will be at home to Billericay Town following their 6-1 success away to
Kent Football Utd. Gemma Fraser and Kim Farrow both hit hat-tricks for the Clarets, whilst the
home side's consolation came from Megan Burrows (see match report).
Leeds ready for “massive challenge”
Leeds United are up against Durham Women in the Vitality Women’s FA Cup this Sunday and are
ready to take on the Championship high fliers in one of the most intriguing ties of the Third Round.
Manager Dan O’Hearne is relishing the task of taking on the Wildcats and he told Women’s
Soccer Scene: “We know a massive challenge awaits us on Sunday and with only one weeks
preparation for the game it makes it even harder to put plans in place to deal with the quality of a
team like Durham but we will prepare the best we can in the circumstances. We know we will have
to adapt our game on Sunday and be prepared to be out of possession for large parts of the game so
concentration is key as is keeping the shape we aim to play.
“It’s a free hit for us though, we have experience in the squad and we are having a decent
season so we will aim to cause an upset on the day. Our plans will be in place and it’s about the
players executing the plan and hopefully getting some luck on the day, it’s the FA Cup so you never
know! Whatever happens, this group will give everything and work hard throughout the game and
that’s all I can ask of the players really.
“We are looking forward to a healthy crowd which we have had at all our home games this
season to lift us and we hope it’s a competitive and exciting fixture.”
“We’re all really excited for Sunday,” said midfielder Rebekah Bass. “It’s the FA Cup and
Durham will definitely be the toughest game we’ll have so far this season. Hopefully we can put in
a performance and show we can compete with a top team.”
Defender Cath Hamill added: “Everybody at the club is buzzing, it’s the FA Cup dream that
everyone loves and hopefully we can be the team to cause some upset this year. The magic of the
FA Cup can hopefully continue and get us in the hat for the next round.”
Issue no. 15 - 9 December 2021 womenssoccerscene@mail.com