Page 9 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.6 2020-21
P. 9

Luton Town 1 Enfield Town 2
       FAWNL  Division  One  South  East  side
       Enfield  Town  progressed  into  the  First
       Round Proper of the Vitality FA Women's
       Cup with a hard fought 2-1 away win over
       Eastern Regional League opponents Luton
       Town at a foggy The 61 FC.
             A  match  full  of  determined  play
       from all concerned was settled by two Beau
       Parker goals either side of the break, after
       the hosts had led with an early Erica Byron
       penalty.
             The  opening  exchanges  showed
       that a close contest was on the cards with  Sitting down on the job? Goalscorers Beau Parker and
       Luton  sharp  into  the  tackle  and Erica Byron in an unusual challenge  (www.jamesprickett.co.uk).
       threatening the Enfield goal by getting the
       ball  forward  early.  One  such  break  led  to  a  shot  striking  an  arm  and  Byron  celebrated  a
       birthday goal by striking a confident spot kick beyond the reach of keeper Sophy Stonehouse
       on 12 minutes.
             Dionne  Manning  went  close  to  adding  a  second  only  to  be  denied  by  Stonehouse
       moving quickly off her line to challenge. Enfield started to dominate possession after the mid
       point of the half with Parker, Courtney Cook and Mollie Kmita going on dangerous runs from
       deep but the Luton defence was solid.
             It took a fine move from Parker right on the break to draw Enfield level. Cutting in from
       the left, she fired in a low shot beyond Emma Kirby and just inside the far post.
             Enfield continued strongly on the restart but a defensive slip let in Luton skipper Jess
       McKay for a run on goal. Stonehouse rescued her side with a brave double save, parrying the
       first shot before dropping on the loose ball under pressure on 58 minutes.
             The crucial nature of this contribution was shown when Kmita got free on the right to
       cross for Parker to notch her second on the hour. Luton were far from discouraged by this
       setback  and  set  about  putting  Enfield  defence  under  pressure.  They  created  promising
       positions and forced several corners but the Enfield defence showed real grit in protecting their
       lead.
             Skipper Nuala McKevitt had a powerful shot from distance well held by Kirby and the
       visitors were often able to find an outlet for their defence to keep Luton at bay and threaten a
       decisive third.
             Stonehouse was again quick off her line to foil substitute Aurora Ryan and with one
       crucial clearance from Danielle Smith late on, Enfield claimed a hard earned First Round tie
       away to either Kent Football United or AFC Wimbledon who were unable to play their delayed
       match because of a waterlogged pitch.
             Both teams emerged with great credit from a typical FA Cup battle, especially in view
       of  the  enforced  break  and  lack  of  match  practice,  providing  a  gripping  match,  albeit
       intermittently difficult to see through the fog!
       Luton  Town:  Emma  Kirby,  Leyah  Maddix,  Malika  Gille,  Tanya  Blacksley,  Elly  Wade,
       Sheree  Oliver,  Kim  Newns,  Nicola  Henman,  Erica  Byron,  Jess  McKay,  Dionne  Manning.
       Subs: Aurora Ryan, Olivia Abraham, Anne Folan, Dawn Mallett, Rebecca Kane.
       Enfield Town: Sophy Stonehouse, Danielle Smith, Anna Re, Carla Perez, Sheryce Slater,
       Nuala McKevitt, Amy Cooper, Beau Parker, Courtney Cook, Mollie Kmita, Amy Makewell.
       Subs: Katie Miller, Lucy Loomes, Jodie Bellinger,
       Jess Charles, Rebecca Evans.
       news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk              Issue no. 6 - 10 December 2020
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