Page 12 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.24 2021-22

The Vitality Women’s FA Cup

Ipswich Town will carry the flag for the FA Women's National
League in the quarter finals of the Vitality Women's FA Cup, following
a dramatic victory over league rivals Southampton FC Women on
Sunday, which takes them into the last eight for the first time in their
history.
The Tractor Girls were penalty shootout winners over the Saints after the teams had fought
out a 1-1 draw which had seen an amazing finish. Ipswich and Southampton had met twice already
this season, with one win apiece, and things were just as tight on this occasion as it ended goalless
after ninety minutes. The first period of extra time also drew a blank but four minutes after the
restart, Anna Grey gave Ipswich the lead. It looked as though the Suffolk side had done enough to
win the game but, deep into injury time, the unlikeliest of goalscorers salvaged the game for
Southampton as goalkeeper Kayla Rendell headed in an equaliser, to take the match into a shootout.
When it came to penalties though, it was Rendell's counterpart Sarah Quantrill's turn to
perform heroics as she saved kicks from Lucia Kendall and Katie Rood to give Ipswich a 4-2 win
from the spot, having scored all of their penalties through Lucy O'Brien, Issy Bryant, Zoe Barratt
and Paige Peake.
Ipswich have been rewarded with a home tie in the quarter finals against West Ham Utd,
who came through a closely fought tie of their own away to Reading FC Women. This match was
also goalless after ninety minutes and this time, extra time was to produce a winner, with Dagny
Brynjarsdottir giving the Hammers a 1-0 victory when she scored in the first period injury time.
Holders Chelsea eased into the last eight on the back of a 7-0 victory over Leicester City.
The seventeenth minute sending off of Sophie Howard proved to be a crucial moment for the Foxes
as they found themselves up against it from that point, Pernille Harder then netting a double to put
Chelsea two ahead at half time. Sam Kerr made it three on the hour and she completed her own
double, after Ji So-Yun and Aniek Nouwen had also got on the scoresheet, and Beth England
rounded off the scoring five minutes from time.
Chelsea will be at home in the quarter finals to Birmingham City, who came through a
tough tie away to Durham Women with a 1-0 win. A closely fought tie was settled with twelve
minutes remaining, when Louise Quinn scored the only goal of the game for the Blues.
Arsenal were another side to have an awkward trip, going to runaway FA Women's
Championship leaders Liverpool. Three goals in fifteen first half minutes made things a lot more
comfortable for the Gunners; after Caitlin Foord had opened the scoring, Katie McCabe netted the
second with a stunning volley and Foord further extended their lead two minutes later. Kim Little
put the seal on the victory in the second half, completing a 4-0 win which takes Arsenal into the
quarter finals once again.
The Gunners will now play Coventry Utd, the last remaining team from the
Championship, who progressed via a 4-2 success away to West Bromwich Albion. Coventry got
off to a great start with Alanah Mann givng them a sixth minute lead and Natalie Johnson making
it two midway through the first half. Shannon Stamps pulled a goal back for Albion but the two-goal
advantage was restored through Katie Wilkinson in first half injury time. Leigh Dugmore revived
Albion's hopes after the break when she reduced the arrears from the penalty spot to put the game
back in the balance but any Coventry fears were eased three minutes from time, with Olivia
Fergusson scored their fourth goal.
Manchester City staged a second half fightback to run out 4-1 winners in their derby tie
away to Manchester Utd. Katie Zelem gave United the lead early on, which they held until half
time, with Lauren Hemp levelling the scores five minutes after the restart. Two goals in quick
succession around the hour mark from Ellen White and Caroline Weir put City in control of the
game and Khadija Shaw completed the scoring with the final goal.
The Cityzens have been paired with Everton who were 2-0 victors away to Charlton
Athletic. Kenza Dali curled home a spectacular goal to give the Toffees a first half lead and they
made the game safe with sixteen minutes remaining, when Anna Anvegard scored the second.
Issue no. 24 - 3 March 2022 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk