Page 6 - Women's Soccer Scene 2020/21 Issue 2

AEK Boco led the surprises in the Second Round Qualifying of the
Vitality Women's FA Cup when they won 4-3 against Larkhall Athletic.
In a pulsating tie at Greenbank Road, Larkhall surged into a two-goal lead
after sixteen minutes, both scored by Adele Hooper, and after Boco hit
back to level with goals from Lucy Atkinson and Jess Titcomb, Rhian
Robbins put the Larks back in front before half time. Midway through the second half, Sasha Ferris
equalised once again from a free kick and three minutes later, the outstanding Atkinson set up Eloise
Nicholas to slot home the winning goal although Boco goalkeeper Shelbie Parker-Smith needed to
make a string of good saves to help keep her side in front.
AEK Boco will be away in the Third Round Qualifying to Exeter City, who came through with
a 2-1 victory against Swindon Town in a well contested tie. Tori Taylor gave Swindon a first half lead
from the penalty spot but two goals in the last twelve minutes from substitute Connie Pengelly gave
Exeter a narrow win.
Kay Mills and Ally Ferris were the scorers as Sunderland West End also produced a fine
result in winning 2-0 away to Bradford City to claim a National League scalp. West End now travel
to take on Newcastle Utd who scored eleven times without reply against Blackburn Community
SC. Katie Barker and Jessica Foster each netted hat-tricks and they were joined on the scoresheet by
Kacie Elson, Beth Gardener, Megan McKenzie, Anna Soulsby and Imogen Longcake.
Merseyrail Ladies were another team to knock out higher league opponents when they
defeated Bolton Ladies 3-2, courtesy of a goal apiece from Sophie Perry, Sherree Thompson and
Shannon Beckwith. Merseyrail now go to Brighouse Town, who ended the Cup run of Spennymoor
Town but the Durham County Women's League side were not disgraced in going down 6-0. Ellie
Dobson was on target twice for Brighouse along with Drew Greene, Ellie White, Danielle Whitham and
Amy Woodruff.
Ilminster Town are having a good season in the South West League, which they continued
with a 4-1 victory against Poole Town. Jodie Cornwall was on target twice for Ilminster along with
Georgia Coward and Sian Chapman. The Somerset side's reward is a tough one at home to
Southampton FC, the Saints ending the run of Helston Athletic by beating them 11-0. Rachel
Panting netted four of the goals and there were doubles from Shannon Sievwright, Ella Pusey and
Alisha Ware, with Georgie Freeland also on target.
FC United of Manchester travelled to the north east to face Norton & Stockton
Ancients where they claimed an excellent 5-2 victory against the National League side. Jordan Bailey
netted two of the goals for FC United, along with Corie Mather, Maxine Smith and Jade Parker. The
North West League club will be at home to Chorley in the next round.
Redditch Utd joined the list of teams to take a National League scalp and they took the most
famous one of all, eliminating Doncaster Rovers Belles on a penalty shootout after the teams had
shared a 1-1 draw. Isobel Godfrey slotted home the winning penalty for Redditch whose reward is a
home tie with Boldmere St Michaels, 2-1 victors at Beaumont Park through first half goals from
Laura Cooper and Jessica Keeling.
Nicola Henman scored the only goal of the game for Luton Town as they won 1-0 against
Cambridge City. Enfield Town now go to Luton after winning 2-0 at Hashtag Utd. Both goals
came in the last fifteen minutes, Courtney Cook giving Enfield the lead before Beau Parker sealed the
result with the second in injury time.
Gemma Hillier, Molly Clark and Abby Jones were all on the scoresheet as AFC
Bournemouth registered a fine 3-1 victory over Southampton Women. The Cherries' reward is a
home tie with Buckland Athletic who won 6-1 away to AFC Stoneham, courtesy of a Megan Wood
hat-trick as well as Sarah Stacey, Carla Staddon and Natalie Warman.
The ninth team to knock out a National League side were Royston Town who did so on a
penalty shootout after sharing a 3-3 draw with Stevenage Women. Gemma Croucher netted twice
and Yasmin Pratt the other for Royston, taking the game into penalties where Yasmine Walford's save
allowed Samantha Edgar to slot home the winning kick. Royston are now away to Harlow Town who
powered through with a 5-1 victory over St Ives Town thanks to Kaydee King, Olivia Steele, Georgia
Box, Tayla Handscombe and an own goal.
Barnsley made sure the trip home from Blyth Town was a happy one after they ran out 5-0
winners. Emily Pierrepont and Courtney Csomor put Barnsley two ahead inside the opening eight
minutes, with Lindsey Tugby and Kathryn Smith doubling their advantage before half time and Amy
Nowell rounded off the scoring on the hour. Barnsley will be at home to the winners of the postponed
tie between Stockport County and Leeds Utd in the next round.
Chester-le-Street Town meanwhile kept up their good early season form with a nine-goal
victory over South Shields. Nichole Havery led the scoring with a five-goal haul along with Laura
Issue no. 2 - 22 October 2020 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk