Page 6 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.32 2021-22

FA Women’s National League

This season’s FA Women’s National League Cup and
Plate finals were both held at the Armco Arena, the
home ground of Solihull Moors. Both games were
played in sunny, but windy conditions at the venue
which was reasonably equi-distant for the competing
teams. For both games, it was the southern supporters who were most in evidence as they gave
noisy backing to their respective teams. Both games provided plenty of entertainment for those
watching.
Southampton FC Women 3 Huddersfield Town 0
Southampton FC arrived as newly crowned Southern Premier Division champions, the title
having been secured with two games to spare, while Huddersfield Town, now firmly established
in the Northern equivalent of the third tier went into the final in fourth place, some way behind
champions Wolves, but well clear of the relegation zone and one of only three teams in the
division to have scored more than a half century of goals.
Just when it looked like the teams would go into the interval on level terms, Southampton
struck, Alisha Ware netting from close range to meet a cross from the right by Georgie Freeland.
Lucia Kendall rattled the Town bar early in the second half. With both teams pressing for
a goal, Southampton to double their lead and Huddersfield to equalise, there was plenty of attack
and counter attack before Kendall did get her name on the scoresheet with just under 20 minutes
remaining. That left Town with a mountain to climb to force the tie into a penalty shootout but
with the game in its final ten minutes, Kendall rifled home from outside the area to seal
Southampton’s deserved victory.
One of Southampton’s strengths this season has been a near impregnable defence -
they had conceded just 9 in 24 League games. Huddersfield knew they were likely to find chances
at a premium and one of their best came several minutes before half time when Brittany
Sanderson got into the box, took the ball past the advancing Saints keeper Kayla Rendell, but was
then denied by Rosie Parnell at the expense of a corner. Sanderson’s rising shot was blocked by
Parnell’s upper body - Sanderson appealed for a penalty, but from stills it seems the defender
avoided a handball.
Southampton FC Women: Kayla Rendell, Ella Morris, Rosie Parnel, Laura Rafferty,
Georgie Freeland, Ella Pusey, Alisha Ware, Sophia Pharoah, Lucia Kendall, Milly Mott, Leeta
Rutherford. Subs: Shelly Provan, Phoebe Williams, Shannon Sievwright, Sara Luce, Ciara
Watling.
Huddersfield Town: Bethan Davies, Beth Ibbotson, Kate Mallin, Lauren Griffiths, Katie
Stanley, Ria Montgomery, Laura Elford, Brittany Sanderson, Autumn Housley, Georgia
Marshall, Mia Parry. Subs: Vicky Abbott, Zoe Laughton, Serena Fletcher, Daniela Kosinska.
Nottingham Forest 2 AFC Wimbledon 1
The game’s first scoring chance fell to Wimbledon’s Ashlee Hincks whose long range effort
landed on the netting, though without unduly troubling Forest keeper Emily Batty.
Forest went ahead on 13 minutes when Rachel Brown was put clear by Charlotte
Greengrass and she was able to slot a low shot past Faye Baker. Wimbledon had cause to feel
slightly aggrieved as they were down to ten, Emily Donovan stood on the sidelines waiting to be
signalled back into play after receiving treatment for an injury. Certainly, as a neutral it did seem
strange as referees are usually quite prompt in waving players back on.
Greengrass then shot over when well placed and shortly afterwards she saw Baker, at full
stretch, do enough to keep out her low shot. Baker came out well to block a shot from Amy West
as Forest all but doubled their advantage as they enjoyed a strong spell following their opener.
Issue no. 32 - 28 April 2022 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk