FAWNL Cup Determining Round
Here’s a quick round up of all the FAWNL Cup action involving Division One South West teams.
Abingdon United 0 Oxford United 10
Following a gritty performance against Moneyfields at the weekend, Abingdon faced a tough draw in the Cup against Southern Premier Division side Oxford United and so it turned out to be. An Ellie-Mae Richardson opener after 14 minutes and a double from Phoebie Poole giving the away side a 3-0 lead at the break but with Abingdon making their opposition work hard for the advantage.
Further goals from Isabelle Cook, Ellie-Mae Richardson, Lucy Trinder, Leah Burridge and a second half hat-trick from Zoe Barratt secured a convincing win and passage into the next stage for Oxford United
Exeter City 8 v Portishead Town 1
Portishead were another south west side facing a very challenging draw, being drawn away to current Southern Premier pacesetters Exeter City. The Grecians stormed into a five goal lead by the break with goals from Jade Grove, Mollie Taylor, Ishbel Zuurmond and a brace from Phoebe Baker.
Zuurmond added her second straight after half time and Matilda Franchi made it seven in the 49th minute. Emily Nicholson pulled one back for the visitors with an exquisite lob in the 68th minute and the home side completed the scoring in the closing moments of the game with a good finish from Sophie Gillies.
Gwalia United 2 Bristol Rovers 0
Bristol Rovers were another south west division side facing a tough draw against higher league opposition, this time Gwalia United (formerly Cardiff City Ladies) from the Southern Premier. Cerys Jones opened the scoring for the hosts in the 8th minute but, despite the hosts making several good chances, Rovers kept the home side at bay until the 76th minute when Thierry-Jo Gauvain provided the finishing touch after mayhem ensued in the box from a Maisie Miller free kick.
There were plenty of positives to take forward from the performance from Rovers and they will have learnt a lot from the game.
Lewes 2 Worthing 1 (AET)
Worthing pushed their Southern Premier league opposition all the way in an entertaining clash at the Dripping Pan. Layla Proctor put the hosts ahead in the 8th minute but they found themselves pegged back by a Sammy Quayle finish after a great run from Dani Lane. Despite several chances for both sides in the second half there were no further goals.
The game went into extra time with the match being decided in the 4th minute of the second period of extra time and it was a goal worthy of winning any game, Olivia Carpenter sending a drive into the top corner from distance to win it for the Rooks. Tough to take for Worthing but they’ll have plenty of positives to take from their display on the night.
Swindon Town 3 Keynsham Town 1
The one all Division One South West tie was played out at the Webbswood Stadium with Swindon Town taking on Keynsham. Annie Colston opening the scoring with a driving run and finish into the bottom corner in the 24th minute and increased their lead fifteen minutes later through Gypsy Viveash. Two minutes before the break Keynsham were back in it after being awarded a penalty which was despatched from the spot by Naomi Clipston.
The Robins made several chances during the second half but were made to wait until the fifth minute of added time before getting the goal to put the tie to bed. Grace Purnell being fouled in the box, Libby Davies taking responsibility and firing down the centre to confirm Swindon’s progression into the next round.
Maidenhead United 4 Ashford Town (Middlesex) 2
A pulsating cup tie was played out under the lights at York Road with the hosts eventually taking their place in the next round. A match between two teams from the same tier but different leagues, the home side playing in the South West and the visitors from the South East division. Macey-Nikiah Walters and Emily Norfolk gave the hosts a two goal lead at the break but that wasn’t the whole story of the half with the visitors hitting the woodwork on four separate occasions. Brogan Moore pulled one back for Ashford early in the second half only for Natalie Cowell to respond for the Magpies and restore their two goal advantage.
Izzy Stockton, restored to the Maidenhead forward line after Sunday’s stint between the sticks, then struck a curler into the corner to make it 4-1. With ten minutes to go Lavana Neufville pulled one back for the Tangerines, they also had a penalty shout waved away by the referee two minutes from time which would have made for a very interesting last few minutes. Full credit to both sides for giving everything in this game, Maidenhead advancing to the next round of the Cup with Ashford now taking their place in the Plate competition.
Moneyfields 4 AFC Bournemouth 3 (AET)
A keenly anticipated tie between two of the favourites for the South West Division, the current top two in the table and it didn’t disappoint. The hosts took the lead in the 15th minute through Megan Wood and it stayed at 1-0 until three minutes before the break when Ellie Bloomfield levelled for the visitors. The second half surged from end to end with chances at both ends and Moneyfields thought they’d won it when Beth Burgess struck with 6 minutes to go but their lead only lasted a minute with Lucy Cooper equalising for the Cherries.
Into extra time with Moneyfields having to play defender Skye-Louise Granger in goal for the extra 30 minutes following an injury to their goalkeeper, still managed to regain the lead four minutes in through a second from Megan Wood but the lead only lasted three minutes, Katie James hitting a screamer into the top corner to restore parity again. Two minutes from the end of extra time Shannon Albuery netted what turned out to be the winner in this epic encounter and send Moneyfields through to the next round of the Cup. Now both sides get to do it all again as they meet in the league on Sunday!
Plymouth Argyle 4 Bridgwater United 2
Bridgwater were another South West side taking on higher league opposition against Argyle from the Southern Premier. Ten minutes into the game at Coach Road Giota Papaioannou headed the hosts into an early lead but the advantage only lasted 6 minutes with Beth Everson replying for the visitors. Despite further chances at both ends it was 1-1 going into the break. Just two minutes into the second half the Robins took the lead through Faith Bedford following good work from Hollie Tappin.
A devastating spell of three goals in 6 minutes then took the game away from the visitors. First a curling effort from Georgia Wilson found the corner of the net, and then a quickfire double from Ellie Sara, the first from the penalty spot, gave the hosts a 4-2 lead. Bridgwater continued to battle to try to get back into the game but to no avail and they had to settle for a place in the Plate competition.
Still to play
Southampton v Bournemouth Sports (Thursday 5th September 7.45pm ko)