Page 5 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.14 2022-23

There was only one ultimate winner on Third Round day in the
Vitality Women’s FA Cup - the weather. Frozen conditions
wreaked havoc with the schedule, with only seven of the twenty
ties managing to go ahead.
This is the stage of the competition where the twelve teams from the Barclays Women’s
Championship enter for the first time and two of the top four in the table, Bristol City and
Southampton, had been drawn against each other. The two teams had met in the Cup last
season with the Saints - then a FAWNL side - winning 1-0 on that occasion, but this time it
was City who were to take revenge with a 2-0 victory. Leading scorer Shania Hayles gave
them the lead midway through the first half and Emily Syme put the seal on the win when
curled home a sublime 25-yard free kick with twenty minutes remaining.
Bristol City will be at home again in the Fourth Round, to Oxford Utd who were
another team to play and win on the day, beating Plymouth Argyle 3-0. Lily Stevens got
the U’s off to a great start by giving them an eighth minute lead and Leah Burridge made it
two just before half time. Daisy McLachlan rounded off the win for Oxford when she scored
the third goal, midway through the second half.
Coventry Utd made it safely through to the last 32 but were given a scare as they
defeated Stockport County 4-2. It looked as though a shock might be in the offering as
County - who play two tiers below their Championship opponents - were twice given the lead
by Kenzie Bentley during the first half, with Simran Jhamat and Mary McAteer equalising
on each occasion. After the break, Ebony Wiseman put the Red and Greens ahead for the
first time and McAteer finally ended Stockport’s brave challenge by scoring her second and
Coventry’s fourth.
Coventry have received another awkward looking home tie in the next round against
Hashtag Utd who made it thirteen wins in a row in all competitions when beating
Actonians Ladies 3-0. Both teams went into the game in good form but it was the Tags
who took a first half lead through a Samantha Rowland double and she went on to wrap up
the win with her hat-trick goal, ten minutes from time.
Ipswich Town got as far as the quarter finals last season and they advanced with a 7-0
victory over Portishead Town. A late switch of venue enabled the match to go ahead and
although the visitors gave a far better performance than the scoreline suggests, the Tractor
Girls were too strong overall and Anna Grey netted twice, with one apiece from Maddie
Biggs, Sarah Brasero-Carriera, Bonnie Horwood and Abigail Lafayette along with an own
goal. Ipswich will be at home again, to the winners of the postponed tie between Lewes and
London Bees in the next round.
Newcastle Utd’s cup run was brought to an end when they were beaten 5-1 by
Wolverhampton Wanderers at Kingston Park. Beth Merrick put Wolves in front after
eight minutes and after Kacie Elson headed Newcastle back on level terms, Anna Morphet
restored Wolves’ lead from the penalty spot before the break. Merrick completed her double
in the second half, with Tammi George and Maz Gauntlett also getting on the scoresheet,
whilst Wolves keeper Bec Thomas saved a twice-taken penalty from Beth Guy. Wolves have
landed a plum home tie against West Ham Utd in the Fourth Round.
Regional League interest in the competition is over for another year after
Bournemouth Sports went down 5-0 to Cardiff City Ladies. The first half was goalless
but after the interval, Kerry Bartlett and Cori Williams each scored twice, with Ruby Scahill
adding the fifth in injury time, to leave Cardiff with a trip to either Burnley FC Women or
Norwich City.
Five of the postponed ties are scheduled to be played this coming Sunday, with the
remainder set to take place in the new year.
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk