I picked out the tie I fancied watching early on and only the weather was going to alter those plans, set fair for the weekend though I headed west to watch Derby County Ladies v Tottenham Hotspur Ladies.
This was an all FA Women's Premier League (WPL) clash with Derby County Ladies competing in the Northern Division and Tottenham Hotspur Ladies competing in the Southern Division. The FA WPL clubs entered the competition in the previous round. Derby County Ladies travelled to the south coast beating Eastbourne Town Ladies 2-4. Tottenham Hotspur Ladies were at home the visitors Preston North WFC, Tottenham won 5-1.
Derby County Ladies play their home matches at the Anderson Electrical Arena which is also home to Barrowash Victoria FC. This is my 2nd trip to the stadium as I travelled up to watch Derby County Ladies friendly with Liverpool Ladies. The area around the stadium could do with some rejuvenation but the facilities are very good, refreshments and a bar, covered seating at one end of the pitch and along the side opposite the dugouts.
By the time I arrived the clouds had gathered and a steady drizzle accompanied both teams as they warmed up on the pitch. Once I'd gotten the team details I retreated to the main stand but as it was the rain cleared and the sun dared to make an appearance as the teams returned to the pitch to get this FA Women's Cup 4th Round tie under way.
Derby County Ladies starting XI - Sarah Morgan, Louisa Abbey, Aimee Perry, Grace John, Emily Jeffery (C), Rhian O'Callaghan, Cara Newton, Hannah Ward, Melissa Johnson, Megan Clarkson & Dayna Randall.
subs - Samantha Griffiths, Precious Hamilton & Nicole Legister.
Tottenham Hotspur Ladies starting XI - Toni-Anne Wayne, Lucia Leon, Sophie McLean, Jenna Schillaci (C), Alex Keown, Maya Vio, Riana-Devi Soobadoo, Wendy Martin, Avilla Bergin, Bianca Baptiste & Katie O'Leary.
subs - Andra Maroci, Leah Rawle & Leanne Mabey.
It's Derby to kick off the first half kitted out in white shirts, black shorts and socks against Tottenham lined up in bright yellow shirts, navy shorts and lime green socks. Right from the start the visitors get hold of the ball and bring it forwards with Bianca Baptiste taking the ball into the right channel and sweeping a cross in towards the far post, left back Sophie McLean has covered a lot of ground to get there, however by the time she gets her head to the ball to try and send it into the goal is has already travelled out of play.
Early on the ball is exchanged between the sides as they test out one another's back line. Tottenham with three up top are looking to peel wide into space create openings pull Derby's defenders to the ball. Whenever Derby get hold of the ball they are looking to release attacker Rhian O'Callaghan early as she makes a forward run.
There are shouts for hand ball from the Tottenham players as the ball is sent into the area and Derby clear, nothing from the referee the home side break, O'Callaghan has the ball running at goal looks to shoot early outside the area, Tottenham goalkeeper Toni-Anne Wayne gets something on it deflecting it wide for a corner.
GOAL! Tottenham are on the attack with Avilla Bergin on the ball looking to drive into the area she is clipped by Derby's Louisa Abbey the referee blowing for a free kick right on the edge of the box right corner. It's Tottenham captain Jenna Schillaci to deliver the set piece looks to have a strike on goal the ball fired in cannons off the near post, back into play is set across the face of goal by a Tottenham boot, inside the six yard box towards the far post Lucia Leon is there to meet the ball and stroke it home to give Tottenham an early lead 0-1.
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| Tottenham Hotspur Ladies Lucia Leon opened the scoring |
Tottenham are getting plenty of players forwards keeping three up pushing the Derby defence back. In the centre of midfield Wendy Martin is winning the tackles looking to spread the play. Winning a corner the ball is played in from the right. In the box it's Katie O'Leary positioned at the near post who chests the ball down for team mate Alex Keown in front of her she looks to smash it from close range, too many bodies to get through the ball spins away from danger.
Derby's Hannah Ward gets on the ball, looking up sees O'Callaghan is making the run on the shoulder of the last Tottenham defender, plays it forwards, dropping over O'Callaghan's shoulder her 1st touch is a little too heavy gives Wayne plenty of time to drop down and stop the ball inside her box.
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| Tottenham Hotspur Ladies captain Jenna Schillaci in action |
GOAL! Tottenham double their lead, the move starting once again with Martin in midfield winning the ball back, has McLean making the run from full back on her left, rolls the ball out to her, with a burst of pace McLean bombs forwards into space and sends in a low curving cross along the Derby six yard line, players are queuing up at the far post to meet the ball, Bergin can't quite get there, coming in behind her O'Leary can as she sends the ball past Derby goalkeeper Sarah Morgan into the back of the net 0-2.
Derby's Melissa Johnson receives the ball on the halfway line, good footwork as she brings the ball forwards shifts it to take a strike from distance, hit low and hard, it doesn't pose a threat to Wayne's goal as she sees it wide.
The home side are getting frustrated and get caught out as Tottenham win another free kick. Leaving a gap to run into it's Martin who takes advantage as she calls for and gets the ball on the edge of the area, pushes into the box, takes the shot on, Morgan rushing out to close her down makes a good save with her legs as she slides in.
GOAL! It's a 3rd goal for Tottenham play is brought to a halt high up the pitch on the right. Derby are caught out by a 10 yard pass played into Bergin standing on the corner of the area, strikes her shot goal wards looking to send it over Morgan's head makes it 0-3.
Derby make a change with left back Louisa Abbey looking like she might have taken a knock coming off and Samantha Griffiths coming on. Tottenham continue to attack the ball crossed in low from the right Bergin coming in steals the ball from Morgan's gloves as she looks to gather, Bergin gets a cross/shot back in across the goal face, McLean racing in can't meet it, the ball is hooked clear, looping up Martin keeping her eye on the ball looks to strike it back in towards goal, Morgan though has got back into position to claim the ball.
Half-time Derby County Ladies 0-3 Tottenham Hotspur Ladies
Has been plenty of attacking football in the 1st half, sadly for Derby though most of it has been from Tottenham who have been dominant scoring 3 goals and creating numerous chances.
It's Tottenham to kick off the 2nd half and they start where they left off in the 1st half on the attack, Martin strong on the ball spins riding a challenge and taking the ball forwards has Baptiste making the run into space on the right in front of her, giving her the ball, O'Leary makes up the ground to support Baptiste who plays the ball into her feet on the edge of the area, O'Leary looks to turn and shoot, has Derby defender, Grace John in close company, John harries the striker wins the ball back is being kept very busy, needing to cover the ground and make the tackles.
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| Derby County Ladies defender Grace John |
Derby are getting a little more joy on the ball 2nd half with Cara Newton looking to get further forwards to support O'Callaghan and Dayna Randall in attack. It's Johnson who receives the ball from Newton who pushes forwards taking the ball up to the right by line plays in a great cross, O'Callaghan is inside the box totally unmarked just can't get the contact needed with her head to get the ball past Wayne, Tottenham clear.
A direct ball coming over sees Baptiste chasing it centrally, Morgan is racing towards the edge of her area, Baptiste looks to try scoop her shot over the keeper, too close though Morgan is able to throw her hands up stop the ball, just inside the box despite the protests from the Tottenham bench.
Baptiste sprints after a loose ball, Morgan comes racing out to try and put her off, Baptiste takes it past her, but with Derby's Megan Clarkson shoulder to shoulder with her the ball is ran out of play. Derby make their 2nd substitution bringing on Nicole Ledgister for O'Callaghan in attack. Derby are snapping at Tottenham winning more of the tackles now, but with a 3 goal lead the visitors are comfortable.
Bringing new legs to the attack Ledgister is hassling the Tottenham back line getting hold of the ball on the left she pushes forwards lays it off into the feet of Newton on the edge of the box, continues her run as Newton plays a deft pass over the heads of the Tottenham defenders, Ledgister meets the ball shoots a point blank range keeper Wayne stays big makes the save with her feet on the six yard line.
Derby make their 3rd and final change bringing on a player I know well from my days supporting Lincoln Ladies in the WSL, striker Precious Hamilton, she replaces Johnson and joins Newton and Ledgister in attack. Tottenham make their 1st change bringing off Baptiste with Leah Rawle coming on.
Hamilton makes a mark on the pitch straight away with a turn she has the ball runs it out wide right of the area, squares the cross into the centre, picks out Newton unmarked in the centre, she can't quite bring the ball under control to fire a shot away before Tottenham converge on her.Tottenham bring on Andra Maroci for O'Leary, not long after the 3rd change is made for Tottenham with Bergin the next attacker to have a rest with Leanne Mabey coming onto the pitch.
The clock is ticking down, there are a few niggly challenges being committed from both sides, the referee has to have a chat with one or two players. Riana-Devi Soobadoo finds herself in plenty of space wide right, fires her low cross into the box trying to pick out Maroci, She slips as she goes for the shot, sliding into win the ball Derby's John is on the ground the ball strikes her arm, Tottenham protest the referee waves his arms nothing doing.
Hamilton puts another good cross into the box, which Tottenham hook clear for a corner, then the home side win a free kick half way inside the Tottenham half the ball is played into captain Emily Jeffery standing just inside the area she tries to turn her header goal wards, plenty of bodies back to make the block.
Very late in the match Derby have a goal disallowed, making progress with it down the right a high ball is sent into the area under the crossbar, Hamilton goes up with Wayne for the ball, the keeper goes down the ball is smuggled over the line, the linesman has his flag up, unsure whether it was for an offside or the challenge on the keeper, either way Derby don't pull a goal back as the final whistle blows and Tottenham win 0-3 and go into the hat for Mondays FA Women's Cup 5th Round draw.
Tottenham will be tough opponents for anyone they draw for the next round a dominant 1st half display, sat back more in the 2nd half but were comfortable for their victory, wish them the best of luck for the next round.
Better from Derby 2nd half harrying the ball got more possession created a few chances of their own.
Of the other 7 FA Women's Cup 4th Round ties today, it was a thriller between Charlton Athletic WFC & Crystal Palace Ladies the South East Division One side taking them all the way to penalties after the match ended 3-3 after extra time, Charlton though won the shootout.
Giant killers from the previous round Radcliffe Olympic Ladies couldn't repeat the feat away to Sheffield Ladies going down 4-0. Millwall Lionesses travelled to Portsmouth Ladies no slip ups there as they won 4-1.
Watford Ladies beat Keynsham Town Ladies 2-1, whilst in the all FAWSL 2 clash Aston Villa Ladies beat Yeovil Town Ladies 2-1 after extra time. Doncaster Rovers Belles are another FAWSL 2 side safely through to the next round beating Bradford City WFC 2-1 away from home. Stoke City Ladies were beaten 1-3 by Coventry City Ladies in the final tie.
The draw for the 5th Round of the FA Women's Cup takes place on Monday 9th March. My thanks to Derby County Ladies for helping me out with the teams today.
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