Page 20 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.5 2021-22
P. 20
The Vitality Women’s FA Cup
After having been held over since the end of last season, the
2020-21 Vitality Women’s FA Cup finally got underway once
again with the quarter finals being played in midweek.
Holders Manchester City played at home to Leicester
City and were able to put their recent bad run behind them with a 6-0 victory. Man City
got off to the best of starts when Khadija Shaw fired home in front with just 40 seconds on
the clock and they never looked back after Vicky Losada made it two with a shot from
outside the area. Shaw made it three from close range just after the hour and Alex
Greenwood then increased her side’s lead from the penalty spot. Shaw headed in a Jill Scott
cross to complete her hat-trick late on and Filippa Angeldahl rounded off the scoring with
her first for the club.
The North London derby tie saw Arsenal play host to Tottenham Hotspur and
this also produced an early goal, Rachel Williams firing Spurs into a third minute lead
following a corner. Arsenal’s response was a swift one as Mana Iwabuchi soon levelled the
scores and an own goal from Asmita Ale then put the Gunners in front for the first time.
Caitlin Foord then scored from close range and Nikita Parris headed in the fourth just
before half time. Foord notched the final goal, and her second on the night, midway
through the second half with a clinical finish after being found by Beth Mead, completing
a 5-1 victory.
Chelsea’s attempts to regain the trophy gained further momentum as they ran out
4-0 winners away to Birmingham City. However, Birmingham defended very well to
keep the reigning WSL champions at bay until the hour mark, when Sam Kerr headed
Chelsea in front. Fran Kirby made it two, tapping in the rebound after Millie Bright’s
cross-cum-shot had come back off the bar, and before the Blues were able to recover, Kirby
then scored her second after being set up by Jessie Fleming. Pernille Harder headed in the
final goal in injury time to wrap up her side’s passage into the semi finals.
It was a momentous night for Brighton & Hove Albion as they reached the last
four for the first time in their history after winning 1-0 against Charlton Athletic, who
were the last remaining Championship side in the competition. Jess King almost gave the
Addicks a great start when she hit the bar but the Seagulls slowly began to take control and
were rewarded early in the second half when Fliss Gibbons volleyed home after being teed
up by Rinsola Babajide. Brighton were never able to add to their lead on the night and also
needed a good save from Mia Ross to deny Megan Walsh a late equaliser, but the Seagulls
safely saw it through to keep their best ever Cup run going.
The draw for the semi finals was made after the Arsenal-Tottenham quarter final tie
and produced the following ties:
Manchester City v Chelsea
Arsenal v Brighton & Hove Albion
The semi finals will be played on Sunday 31st October, with the Final at Wembley
Stadium taking place on Sunday 5th December.
In the meantime, the 2021-22 Vitality Women’s FA Cup continues this coming
Sunday with the Second Round Qualifying ties taking place.
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Issue no. 5 - 30 September 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk