The draw for the 5th Rd of the FA Women's Cup threw up some exciting ties and with it the news that this years final would be played at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 1st August. Great to be able to use the hashtag #RoadToWembley for the women's FA Cup final will be a great occasion and a dream come true for any player that gets there. Most of the time there is a tie that jumps out at me and I fancy when the fixtures are announced and this time it was Aston Villa Ladies v Sheffield FC Ladies.
I've wanted to see Sheffield FC Ladies for a while now are the current FA Women's Premier League Northern Division Champions and this season are slugging it out at the top with Coventry City Ladies (the current Southern Division Champions), it's all about geography and I've explained it once already.
Sheffield FC Ladies entered the competition in the 2nd Rd beating Leicester City WFC 8-0 away. Had another away trip in the 3rd Rd going to C&K Basildon Ladies coming away with a 5-0 victory. Home in the 4th Rd hosted Radcliffe Olympic Ladies wrapping up another 4-0 victory. Now the draw paired them away to FAWSL 2 opposition in the 5th Rd.
Aston Villa Ladies like all the FAWSL 2 sides (bar Everton Ladies) entered the competition in the 3rd Rd. Were drawn at home against Sunderland Ladies.. I know an FAWSL 1 side now right? However when the teams entered the competition Sunderland Ladies were still competing for the title in FAWSL 2. A tough test then for Aston Villa Ladies, they caused an upset by beating them 2-1. In the 4th Rd were at home again to another FAWSL 2 side Yeovil Town Ladies, the match ending 1-1 after 90 minutes Aston Villa Ladies went on to win 2-1 in extra time to book there place in the 5th Rd.
A pleasent spring day with the sun out, wasn't too cold which was just aswell as I'd managed to leave my coat back in Norfolk.
Aston Villa Ladies starting XI - Caitlin Leach, Hayley Crackle, Hannah Goerge, Jade Richards, Emily Owen, Sherry McCue (C), Katy Moran, Bethan Merrick, Sarah Mayling, Kerri Welsh & Katie Wilkinson.
subs - Maddy Cusack, Olivia Fergusson, Alicia Robinson, Lauren Haynes & Jess Myers.
Sheffield FC Ladies starting XI - Claire Wallhead, Rebecca Lee, Danielle Cox, Billie Murphy, Ellie Gilliatt, Lisa Giampalma, Kerry Parkin, Lynn Goodman, Suzanne Davies, Jodie Michalska (C) & Emma Johnson.
subs - Jess Horsley, Carla Ward, Chloe Dixon & Amy Beanland.
The teams taking to the all weather pitch it's Aston Villa in their claret and blue shirts and socks with white shorts to kick off the tie, with Sheffield lined up in red shirts, black shorts and socks.
The home side put early pressure on pushing into Sheffield's half win a free kick out wide on the right the defenders jog up from the back as the ball is floated into the area, it's Jade Richards leaping who gets her head to the ball the attempt is over the bar.
Aston Villa continue to press, Kerri Welsh starting this game where she left off on Wednesday night after she came on as a substitute making life difficult for the defenders around her, holds off a challenge as the ball is played into her from the left, looks to set Sarah Mayling away to her right in space the pass is a little strong allows Sheffield goalkeeper Claire Wallhead to get her gloves on the ball before Mayling can reach it.
On Sheffield's left Ellie Gilliatt makes a good run from full back getting all the way up the pitch fires a low cross with pace into the six yard box can only pick out Aston Villa goalkeeper Caitlin Leach covering her near post. Making another run this time looking to come inside and run across the pitch Gilliatt is fouled 35 yards from goal, a central position it's Sheffield captain Jodie Michalska over the set piece drills the ball low and hard the Aston Villa wall does its job the ball doesn't find a way through.
On the attack Aston Villa's, Katie Wilkinson recieves the ball on the left 30 yards out she holds off her marker, it's Welsh looking to make the run for her, Wilkinson plays the ball to her as Welsh bursts into the box she shoots, Wallhead is down to make the save it spins away to the right into space, Wallhead scrambles to get across as Mayling is racing in looking to get to the ball right of goal looking to send it past Wallhead into the back of the net Mayling smashes her shot against the keeper.
A lively opening 15 minutes the midfield is being hotly contested, the ball is travelling up and down the pitch both sides looking find an opening. Sheffield are getting into crossing positions can only pick out Richards or her central defensive partner Emily Owen. The more clinical chances are falling at the other end Mayling is put through on goal again after good work from Wilkinson and captain Sherry McCue on the left get the ball into Welsh back to goal sees Mayling as loads of space to run into on her right puts the ball into her path inside the box Mayling looks to shoot across the keeper, gets the ball past her but also wide of goal.
Katy Moran recieves a yellow card after she fouls Sheffield's, Rebecca Lee as she looks to bring the ball out from the back. Chances for the visitors are few the ball played into her feet, Emma Johnson has team mate Lisa Giampalma making a run in front of her looking to go in field plays the ball to her, she takes the shot on the effort is blocked inside the area. Michalska gets the ball outside the area from Giampalma and looks to pull the trigger puts the attempt over Leach's crossbar.
30 minutes gone, Welsh gets on the ball on the left, coming into the box she looks to pick out Mayling again making the run towards her, Sheffield get the ball away but only as far as the edge of the area McCue is up, she gets her head to the ball tries to send it back into the danger area, the ball however travels wide out of play. From right back Hayley Crackle latches onto a poorly cleared Sheffield ball, travels forwards looks to pass it central into Wilkinson, the striker looks to turn send the ball forwards and look to strike, her touch is a little too heavy, she can't get to it but, Welsh in front of her can puts her foot through the shot, hits a Sheffield body the rebound spinning back to Crackle 25 yards out she has a shot sends the ball over the bar.
Half-time Aston Villa Ladies 0-0 Sheffield FC Ladies
No goals but an entertaining 1st half, two commited sides, Aston Villa have had the better of the chances have restricted Sheffield to long range efforts been comfortable with any wide balls that have been fired into their box. Sheffield get the 2nd half underway.
The visitors start the half brightly enough, Giampalma finds herself in space on the right in attack on two occasions the pass from deep trying to pick her out aren't accurate enough. On the 3rd occasion it's Emily Owen who intercepts the ball and launches a high ball up the pitch, looks a nothing ball, however Wilkinson wants it and gives chase, from left back Hannah George has covered alot of ground to get up the pitch, getting to the ball Wilkinson gets it out to her, George sends the ball into the area Wallhead doesn't get the ball it drops behind her, Sheffield manage to get it away before Aston Villa can capitalise.
Bethan Merrick is seeing alot more of the ball 2nd half is looknig to press forwards make herself available to the attackers in front, the ball played in from the right hand side comes into her feet outside the area lines up the shot, can only pick out Wallhead well positioned in goal. Merrick then turned provider for Katy Moran as she travels with the ball from the left into midifeld gives it to Moran she shoots for distance off target.
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| Aston Villa Ladies Bethan Merrick |
Down the left Lee puts in a ball to Johnson her back to goal outside the box, she looks to head it on with Giampalma making the run to get in behind her, a good effort, only Giampalma doesn't get there instead Richards is in the right place to meet the ball with her head get it away.
Welsh is fouled inside the Sheffiled half on the right, Merrick is over the set piece sends it deep looking for the far post area it's Owen who meets the ball with her head, sends it the wrong side of the post, got a touch off a Sheffield player on the way corner given.
15 minutes into the 2nd half and Aston Villa make a double change bringing off Mayling and Moran, with Alicia Robinson and Olivia Fergusson coming on. Aston Villa continue to be on the offensive Wilkinson with the lay back to Merrick 25 yards out her shot is placed over the bar. Sheffield introduce a new player to the pitch themselves bringing off Johnson, Carla Ward coming on to jion the attack.
GOAL! Olivia Fergusson has only been on the pitch a matter of minutes is already looking lively when she is released the ball put forwards for her to run down has Gilliant in front of her as she enters the area, gets body checked and the referee points to the spot. Penalty. It's Wilkinson to take, a decisive shot arrowed unerringly into the back of the net Wallhead going the wrong way 1-0.
GOAL! Just a few minutes later Aston Villa double their lead Sheffield are pressing in numbers up the pitch looking for a quick response, get hit on the counter attack the pass is threaded though into space in front of Fergusson she bombs forwards, Wallhead comes racing out to the edge of her area to try and stop her gets something on the ball it ricochets between the pair two or three times before coming loose beyond the keeper, Fergusson is after the ball and sends her shot into the back of the net 2-0 with 70 minutes played.
Sheffield almost pull a goal back with the next attack as Lynn Goodman looks to push on into space from the middle of the park, has Giampalma in support plays the ball out to her on the right, Giampalma puts the ball back into Michelska on the edge of the D, tie to place her shot she looks to curl one into the top corner is close but wide.
Aston Villa make their 3rd change bringing on Maddy Cusack for Kerri Welsh. Good persistance on the right from Fergusson sees her regain the ball gets a cross into Merrick outside the area sending a shot in she looks to have Wallhead beaten, is just over. 2nd change for Sheffield with Amy Beanhead coming on for Suzanne Davies.
Carla Ward is covering ground to try and retain possession up front for Sheffield very nearly slides the ball through to Giampalma making the run into the box, only for Owen to make a timely interception. More pressure from Sheffield numbers up and around the Aston Villa area, no way through, Goodman shoots from distance, Leach is well placed to see it all the way into her gloves.
Sheffield are attacking late on the ball is put into Michelska on the six yard line at the near post gets her header away as she is clattered the ball goes wide. Closing moments and Sheffield launch a counter attack the ball is played forwards with pace Michelska is chasing it is clear of the Aston Villa defenders, Leach is rushing out to close her down, Michelska gets the ball around her takes it right of the goal the angle is tight she aims for the near post, is denied by Richards who clears off the line having covered the ground to stop the ball going in.
The final whistle blows and Aston Villa Ladies seal a 2-0 win and are through to the quarter finals of the FA Women's Cup.
A very good performance from Aston Villa several players having a fine 90 minutes, Merrick in midifeld and Richards who wasn't letting anyone through.. even her own captain McCue! Olivia Fergusson coming on and winnng a penalty and scoring the 2nd goal.
Good effort from Sheffield FC Ladies, came up against a solid team and defence that wasn't going to be broken down today.
There were six other ties in the FA Women's Cup today the results below
Birmingham City Ladies 3-1 Liverpool Ladies
Chelsea Ladies 6-0 Watford Ladies
Millwall Lionesses 0-7 Arsenal Ladies
Coventry City Ladies 1-2 Charlton Athletic Women
Manchester City Women 3-1 Doncaster Rovers Belles
Notts County Ladies 4-0 Tottenham Hotspur Ladies
The final tie between Everton Ladies & Bristol Academy will be played on Tues 24th March. The draw for the quarter finals of the FA Women's Cup will be made tomorrow. Best of luck to Aston Villa Ladies in the next round.
Update Mon 23rd - The quarter final draw was made earlier today. Aston Villa Ladies have been drawn away to play Notts County Ladies.
In the other 3 ties Charlton Athletic WFC will travel to either Everton Ladies or Bristol Academy. Manchester City Women will play Birmingham City Ladies and in the stand out tie Arsenal Ladies will play Chelsea Ladies. Ties due to be played Sun 12th April.
Update Mon 23rd - The quarter final draw was made earlier today. Aston Villa Ladies have been drawn away to play Notts County Ladies.
In the other 3 ties Charlton Athletic WFC will travel to either Everton Ladies or Bristol Academy. Manchester City Women will play Birmingham City Ladies and in the stand out tie Arsenal Ladies will play Chelsea Ladies. Ties due to be played Sun 12th April.
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