Page 4 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.25 2022-23

An extra time goal from Rachel Daly powered Aston Villa into
the semi finals of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup with a 2-1 win
over Manchester City.
The game had looked to be heading for penalties after a hard
fought 90 minutes, but Daly popped up seven minutes into the extra period to fire home
from close range after Ellie Roebuck had initially denied Danielle Turner.
Villa had taken the lead 20 minutes into the encounter through another set piece, this
time a corner, which Rachel Corsie nodded home. City responded seven minutes before the
break via a headed effort of their own, Denya Castellanos converting Lauren Hemp’s cross.
Chloe Kelly then had the best chance to seal it in regulation time, but she could only
fire wide when clean through before Daly settled the tie in extra time.
Holders Chelsea continued their defence of the trophy with a 3-1 victory over
Reading FC Women. First half strikes from Jess Carter and Maren Mjelde, from the
penalty spot, put the Blues two to the good at the break before Guro Reiten added a third
with 40 minutes still to play. Sanne Troelsgaard pulled one back for the Royals on 70
minutes, but it was too little, too late for the hosts who exit the competition at the quarter
final stage for the second time.
Manchester Utd sealed a place in the last four for the first time in their history with
a hard earned 3-1 win over Championship opponents Lewes.
Rhian Cleverly’s own goal got United off to the perfect start after just eight minutes but
they struggled to extend their advantage against a resolute rearguard effort from the
Rookettes. Vilda Boe Risa netted the second with just over twenty minutes to play, heading
home from an Ona Batlle cross.
Emily Kraft halved the deficit just five minutes later with a superb curled finish over
Mary Earps to set up a tense finish at the Dripping Pan, but Nikita Parris made sure of
United’s place in the final four with a calm finish to slot under Lewes goalkeeper Sophie
Whitehouse with just a minute remaining.
Brighton & Hove Albion meanwhile secured a safe passage to the semi finals with
a 2-0 win over Birmingham City.
Poppy Pattinson put the Seagulls into the lead midway through the first half with a
goal straight from a corner, largely against the run of play after the Blues had already
struck the woodwork. Brighton then doubled their lead just three minutes later from the
penalty spot through Danielle Carter.
The home side had double the shots of their opponents, but could not find the back of
the net, hitting the post no fewer than five times in a deeply frustrating afternoon for
Darren Carter’s side but defeat for them and Lewes means that Championship interest in
the competition is over for another year.
The draw for the semi finals was made on BBC One’s ‘Morning Live’ programme on
Tuesday morning.
The draw was conducted by presenter Sam Quek and was supported by former
england international Sue Smith.
The full draw is as follows:
Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion
Aston Villa v Chelsea
The ties will be played on the weekend of 15-16 April 2023 with further details to be
announced in due course.
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