Page 19 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.20 2020-21

Portsmouth lifted the Portsmouth District FA Cup for the 2020-21 season with a penalty
shootout win over Moneyfields after a 0-0 draw.
Both clubs overcame the disappointment of not being selected for promotion for next
season to provide a fine spectacle to end this highly disrupted campaign. Katie James wore the
captain’s armband for Portsmouth on her last appearance for the club.
Portsmouth were relentless in their attacking intent over the 90 minutes but were
frustrated by a brave, resilient display by Moneys who operate two tiers below their opponents.
In truth, Portsmouth did everything but score, hitting the woodwork five times, having
a goal disallowed and a strong penalty claim rejected. Moneys keeper Lauren Sayler had
caused two of the woodwork strikes with excellent fingertip saves and had an inspired evening
backed up by great work from her back four.
Pompey skipper Katie James nearly marked her final appearance for the club with a
goal, twice hitting the bar . Jade Widdows and Ava Rowbotham hit bar and post in the same
first half attack. Hayley Bridge went close with a second half effort and sub Eilidh Currie
forced a good save by Sayler late on.
At the other end Kayleigh Tonks got into a couple of good positions in the first half and
Sheree Bell-Jack tested Hannah Haughton in the second with a powerful effort but the
majority of the action saw every Moneyfields player giving their all to block, challenge and
contain the quick movement and clever interplay of the Pompey midfield and attack.
Haughton and Sayler had both recently made decisive saves to help their teams win
penalty shoot outs and both stopped a penalty in this one. The difference on this occasion was
that Portsmouth converted three spot kicks and Moneys missed two so the honours went to
Jay Sadler's team in front of a crowd of 475 at Westleigh Park.
Portsmouth thus completed a Cup double after their 2019-20 Hampshire FA Cup
triumph over Southampton two weeks ago.
Portsmouth: Hannah Haughton, Rebekah Tonks, Jazz Younger, Laura Ingram, Hayley
Bridge, Katie James, Danielle Rowe, Ava Rowbotham, Mia Adaway, Shannon Albuery, Jade
Widdows. Subs: Kat Cunningham, Abi Mason, Eilidh Currie, Freya Jones, Grace Laidlaw.
Moneyfields: Lauren Sayler, Emma Eldridge, Sokhora Goodhall, Roxy Lee-Stewart,
Meghan McKeag, Kayleigh Tonks, Kira Vallely, Carla Nicholson, Ciara Boylan, Kim
Whitcombe, Sheree Bell-Jack. Subs: Melissa Lawrence, Paige Seeley, Ellie Bloomfield,
Frankie Webster, Olivia Pinhorne.
(Report by Patrick Higgins, Photo by www.jamesprickett.co.uk)

Issue no. 20 - 3 June 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk