I watched Solihull Ladies earlier this year in a pre-season trip at Mildenhall Town FC the Midlands Division One side taking on South East Division One, Cambridge United WFC. Manager Sarah Westwood had several new faces in her side that Sunday and has recruited more players including one of my favourite players Rachel Unitt back playing again after suffering a couple of serious injuries in recent times that have kept her out of the game for the best part of 2 years.
Are currently in 8th spot in the FAWPL Midlands Division One having started to pick up points after a slow start not helped by injuries. The club recently announced a partnership with Solihull MoorsFC whose ground hosts FAWSL side Birmingham City Ladies. Beginning next season the clubs will work together as Solihull Ladies look to build on last seasons highest ever 4th placed finish, Moors Academy running 3 girls youth sides that will benefit from a pathway into women's football. Entered the FA Women's Cup in the previous round beating Oadby & Wigston Ladies 6-0 away from home.
Burton Albion Ladies are lookng to join Solihull Ladies in the FAWPL, rising up the leagues are currenty 4 points clear at the top of the West Midlands Regional Women's Football League winnng 7 of their 8 league matches so far following promotion as Champions from the WMRFL Division One North last season. Also known as the Brewers Ladies play their home matches at St Georges Park. As well as the women's 1st team also field a reserves side and a strong youth section. Are one of the more pro-active women's football clubs on social media. Entered the FA Women's Cup in the 2nd Round of Qualifying beating Lye Town Ladies 3-1 at home before defeating fellow WMRFL Premier Division side Leamington Lions Ladies 4-0 away from home in the last round. A big test for Burton Albion today taking on higher league opponents.
The venue for today's FA Women's Cup tie not Solihull Ladies usual home ground at Hampton FC, but instead the Studley Sports Centre. A large clubhouse housing a bar and other refreshments leads out onto the main playing pitch and the 3G ptch beyond where today's FA Women's Cup tie will be played. Fenced but ample room for some standing support beside the pitch. After a wet Saturday, Sunday was much better weather wise, bright and sunny rapidly cooling, no chance of rain.
Solihull Ladies starting XI - Sarah Parkes, Kirsten Taylor, Rachel Unitt, Layla Salter, Ashlea Hargreaves, Donna Hawkins, Joanna Pointon, Carly Brown, Tanya Dickinson (C), Victoria Grieve & Carly Davies.
subs - Bethany Bovan, Rachael Martin, Shannon Parkes & Natalie Courtney.
Burton Albion Ladies starting XI - Aimee Sperry, Amelia Rob, Hayleigh Sutton, Charlotte Worth (C), Gina Rushton, Danielle Reade, Jamie-Leigh Fowler, Paris O'Connor, Charlotte Emery, Jordan Atkin & Grace Teah.
subs - Abigail Taylor, Annie Rushton-Butters, Charlotte Cresswell, Malikah Khan & Georgina Williams.
Remembrance Sunday a minutes silence was held before match in honour of the fallen service men and women that have died in armed conflict for this country. Lest we forget.
It's Burton Albion to kick of the 1st half, wearing blue shirts with yellow trim on the shoulders and sleeves, blue shorts and yellow socks with Solihull lined up opposite wearing an all red kit. The visitors play the ball back to their defence keep possession working it out to the left up the line for Jordan Atkin plays the cross early into the box is headed clear of the area by Solihull's Rachel Unitt.
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| Burton Albion's Amelia Robb with Solihull Ladies, Carly Brown |
Playing a high line at times, Burton Albion striker, Grace Teah is flagged offside on 2 occassions early in the match as she tries to time her run in behind the Solihull defence. Solihull are looking to get the ball into their wide players when ever they attack, Brown on the left, captain Tanya Dickinson on the right. Davies passing the ball for Dickinson down the line whips a cross in as she reaches the byline, the ball is headed out of the area by Burton Albion captain, Charlotte Worth.
GOAL! A little over 10 minutes on the clock and Solihull take the lead. The ball is cleared out from the back by the Burton Albion defence falling to Unitt on halfway the left back turns play around quickly sending it back over the top for Brown to go after on the left wing in behind the Burton Albion defence enters the area passing the ball into the centre Davies sliding in connects with the ball turning it past goalkeeper, Aimee Sperry into the far corner to score 1-0.
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| Carly Davies opens the scoring for Solihull Ladies |
Burton Albion respond getting up the pitch from the restart to balls put in from the left are dealt with by the Solihull defence. Teah gets in behind as a favourable deflection from a defensive clearance falls her way running clear through the middle 25 yards from goal is pushed out to the left lays the ball on for Atkin. Keeping possession is forced further wide out on the wing, turns her marker getting in to play a cross in low towards the near post Teah sliding in to get on the end of the ball with Solihull's Layla Salter, the ball saved by Solihull goalkeeper Sarah Parkes as she comes to close the angle.
Bringing the ball on down the right Solihull's Kirsten Taylor puts the ball into the box early is headed back out by Gina Rushton, back with Taylor tries again Worth with her head under the ball this time, back to Taylor for a 3rd time lifts a high ball in towards the far side top of the box a difficult one for the Burton Albion defence to deal with prevent Brown getting a shot away bounces up for Joanna Pointon closing in from midfield for Solihull gets her foot over the ball to lash a shot in towards goal a swerving effort, Sperry well positioned in the goal beyond gets her gloves firmly around the ball.
A few firm tackles coming in Solihull coming off the worst are awarded a couple of free-kicks inside their opponents half. Burton Albion dealing with the high ball lifted into their area. Solihull win the 1st corner of the match midway through the 1st half the ball played in from the left is cleared out of the area, Dickinson advancing from the back gets hold of it flashes the ball back into the area from the left side, comes at Worth quickly a reactive header knocking the ball up into the air, dropping Pointon gets a shot away for Solihull, is blocked inside the six yard box.
Taylor meeting a defensive clearance from all of 40 yards out on the half volley on the right sends her attempt wide across the Burton Albion goal. Taylor linking up with Dickinson on the right as Solihull come on again with the ball rolls it inside to Davies 25 yards out back to goal in a central position, holding off her marker spins to her left to make room for a shot, lacks pace and power running safely into Sperry's gloves as she gets down to collect.
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| Burton Albion's Jamie-Leigh Fowler holds Solihull Ladies, Tanya Dickinson off the ball |
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| Grace Teah |
GOAL! 10 minutes left of the 1st half and Solihull double their advantage, play resuming after an pause in play for one of their players to recieve treatment. The ball is send out to the right early down the line Dickinson lifts the ball into the six yard box a difficult ball for Sperry to deal with coming near post can't quite get her gloves on the ball to knock it away from danger instead it falls behind her into the six yard box with Brown following in, in the perfect spot to meet the falling ball and turn it over the line from close range 2-0.
Fowler battles her way forwards with the ball trying to play it through fro Charlotte Emery down the right channel, Salter gets across to tackle and win the ball for Solihull. The ball is played through the middle Hawkins up to Victoria Grieve outside the Burton Albion area looks to play a one two with Davies doesn't come off as Hayleigh Sutton intercepts for Burton Albion the ball cleared back to Hawkins who slices her shot away from goal. Picked up by Dickinson charging down the line, whips the ball in near post, Sperry claims with Davies rushing in.
Sperry with a smart save getting down low to her right to push the ball around the post as Davies holding the ball up outside the box, spins and shoots. The corner on the left is met by Unitt near side turning her headed ball into the middle of the six yard box the ball is launched out of the area by Burton Albion, coming straight back in as the home side look to clear their area, Davies looking to see the ball down over her shoulder left of goal inside the box is forced wide by Sperry the goalkeeper staying on her feet back peddling towards her goal line as Davies lays the ball back to the advancing Salter outside the box hits the shot on the run swerving slightly, Sperry is able to take it cleanly as the ball comes straight at her.
Into injury time in the 1st half Solihull press forwards Dickinson with the early ball into the area from the right is just out of reach for Grieve jumping near side can't connect looks to be dropping for Davies coming in behind, Worth with a timely interception to get the ball out of her area sets up a counter attack the ball into Paris O'Connor helped on through the middle, Atkin playing it on Fowler is in behind the Solihull defence through the middle carrying the ball towards the area gets her shot up over the advancing Parkes at the top of the area, her shot flies over the crossbar.
Half-time Solihull Ladies 2-0 Burton Albion Ladies
Burton Albion make the 1st substitution of the match with Charlotte Cresswell coming on for Teah this sees a positional change with Atkin moving into a central attacking role Cresswell to the left. Atkin wins Burton Albion a free-kick on halfway players go forwards as Worth plays the ball up into the air towards the top of the area, O'Connor manages to bring the ball down onto her feet, attempts to drive forwards into the box, there is no way through the tackle coming in possession lost.
Fowler brings the ball on through the middle a good ball on for Atkin the striker getting in behind shots from 20 yards out places the ball well wide of the Solihull goal. Atkin is causing all sorts of problems up top for Burton Albion as she moves across the pitch calling for the ball on the right is given it by Emery dribbling with it down the wing cuts the ball back inside towards Fowler arriving top of the area strikes the ball sending her low shot racing wide across goal.
Solihull press down the right, Brown and Dickinson now on the opposite flanks. Brown winning a corner kick the ball is played into the area Unitt coming towards the ball from a central position looks to header the ball in towards goal, a glancing header lacks any pace to trouble the Burton Albion defence. Salter fouls Atkin in front of the centre circle, a long way out nevertheless Worth looks to play the ball into towards goal, gets the shot on target is straight into Parkes standing on her line.
GOAL! 20 minutes left on the clock and Solihull capitalise to score their 3rd goal of the game. Winning a free-kick in front of the centre circle inside their opponents half after Grieve is brought down. Unitt is the player over the set-piece puts her foot through the ball sending it flying into the area bouncing on it's way through to goal comes at Sperry quickly the keeper behind the shot spills the ball and following in Davies is their 1st to tap the ball past her into the back of the net beyond to score her 2nd of the match 3-0.
Solihull make their 1st change of the game, Taylor comng off with Bethany Bovan coming on. Grieve plays the ball into Davies inside the D, seeing the ball into her body turns well to get a shot around her defensive marker, not enough pace on the rising ball to worry Sperry who claims in goal beyond. Burton Albion bring on Annie Rushton-Butters for O'Connor as the game moves into the last 15 minutes. The game is stretched both side with opportunities to play the ball into the area, Dickinson's cross gathered by Sperry, Atkin up the other end flashing a cross along the six yard box.
Natalie Coutney comes on for Solihull replacing Hawkins goes up top to support Davies with Grieve dropping deeper. Grieve carries the ball on through the middle puts the ball into Courtney free in space left of the D outside the box gets a shot away playing the ball wide across goal. Burton Albion make there final change with 8 minutes left on the clock, Abigail Taylor coming on for Emery wide right. Solihull make their final change too Hargreaves coming off Shannon Parkes joining the action. Grieve is fouled wide right to give Solihull a free-kick Courtney plays the ball into the area is attacked by Rushton-Butters who heads clear for Burton Albion on the penalty spot.
A rapid counter attack from Solihull the ball brought up the left played into Davies outside the area, holds the ball up with Grieve bombing forwards plays the ball inside into her, Grieve in turn helps it further in field with Pointon 25 yards out making the run meeting the ball on the run strikes it goalwards racing along the ground Sperry throws herself to her left diving to claim the ball. Into the last minutes of the game a tired goal-kick from Sperry falls to Grieve outside the box goes on the attack looking to take it back into the area, Rushton-Butters gets back to lunge in taking the ball deflecting off Grieve for a goal-kick.
A late chance for Burton Albion to get something from the match into injury time the visitors get the ball down the right wing stretching the Solihull defence the cross is swept into the six yard box, Cresswell from close range under challenge from Bovan gets something on the ball turning it goalwards the ball coming back off the post before being gathered by Parkes. The referee blows the final whistle, Solihull Ladies winning to advance into the FA Women's Cup 1st Round Proper for the 1st time.
A 2-0 lead for Solihull Ladies at half-time in this FA Women's Cup tie. Have been the dominant side in attack creating more chances, Burton Albion defending for the large part have done it well deep and time have dealt with most thing's flung into the box. Less of the attack but have had two chances one on one with the keeper getting in behind the home sides defence. The next goal in the game will be a crucial one.
With a later 2:30pm kick-off the light is starting to fade the floodlights around the 3G pitch starting to come on. Solihull having stayed out on the field at half-time get the 2nd half underway. An early opportunity for the home side to extend their lead the ball played up into Davies breaking forwards up top as the ball is lifted up into the area, looking to latch onto the falling ball, Worth recovering gets across to throw herself into the path of the ball makes the block inside the area the ball spinning back out to Pointon meeting the ball blazes her shot over the bar.
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| Solihull Ladies, Joanna Pointon |
Dickinson down the right flashes a ball into the box, Reade back tracking heads the ball out of the area. Atkin finds space on the left for Burton Albion as she receives the ball high up the pitch shifts the ball between her feet before playing it in towards Reade coming forwards at the top of the area left outside the box, puts the cross in towards the far post, Unitt well positioned to get her head on the ball clear for Solihull.
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| Solihull Ladies Joanna Pointon with Burton Albion's Danielle Reade |
Burton Albion have started the 2nd half well looking to press Solihull for the ball earlier, more of an end to end feel about the game with Solihull ready to counter. Davies wants a free-kick as she and Worth come together trying to get hold of a ball from Dickinson putup towards the top of the area, has to settle for a corner kick the defender getting the final touch to put it behind. The ball goes long across the six yard box, Hawkins drifting in behind everyone far post wide of goal has too much to do as she heads the ball behind.
A fantastic save from Sperry to keep the ball out of her goal as an error at the back almost hands Solihull a 3 goal lead, Sutton has possession of the ball at the back inside her own box turns in field getting closed down looks to smash it away strikes it straight into a Solihull attacker 10 yards out the rebound racing along the ground towards goal, Sperry down smartly to her left gets a glove on the ball turning it around the post to concede the corner kick.
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| Charlotte Emery looking to get the ball up field for Burton Albion |
Burton Albion make the 1st substitution of the match with Charlotte Cresswell coming on for Teah this sees a positional change with Atkin moving into a central attacking role Cresswell to the left. Atkin wins Burton Albion a free-kick on halfway players go forwards as Worth plays the ball up into the air towards the top of the area, O'Connor manages to bring the ball down onto her feet, attempts to drive forwards into the box, there is no way through the tackle coming in possession lost.
Fowler brings the ball on through the middle a good ball on for Atkin the striker getting in behind shots from 20 yards out places the ball well wide of the Solihull goal. Atkin is causing all sorts of problems up top for Burton Albion as she moves across the pitch calling for the ball on the right is given it by Emery dribbling with it down the wing cuts the ball back inside towards Fowler arriving top of the area strikes the ball sending her low shot racing wide across goal.
Solihull press down the right, Brown and Dickinson now on the opposite flanks. Brown winning a corner kick the ball is played into the area Unitt coming towards the ball from a central position looks to header the ball in towards goal, a glancing header lacks any pace to trouble the Burton Albion defence. Salter fouls Atkin in front of the centre circle, a long way out nevertheless Worth looks to play the ball into towards goal, gets the shot on target is straight into Parkes standing on her line.
GOAL! 20 minutes left on the clock and Solihull capitalise to score their 3rd goal of the game. Winning a free-kick in front of the centre circle inside their opponents half after Grieve is brought down. Unitt is the player over the set-piece puts her foot through the ball sending it flying into the area bouncing on it's way through to goal comes at Sperry quickly the keeper behind the shot spills the ball and following in Davies is their 1st to tap the ball past her into the back of the net beyond to score her 2nd of the match 3-0.
Solihull make their 1st change of the game, Taylor comng off with Bethany Bovan coming on. Grieve plays the ball into Davies inside the D, seeing the ball into her body turns well to get a shot around her defensive marker, not enough pace on the rising ball to worry Sperry who claims in goal beyond. Burton Albion bring on Annie Rushton-Butters for O'Connor as the game moves into the last 15 minutes. The game is stretched both side with opportunities to play the ball into the area, Dickinson's cross gathered by Sperry, Atkin up the other end flashing a cross along the six yard box.
Natalie Coutney comes on for Solihull replacing Hawkins goes up top to support Davies with Grieve dropping deeper. Grieve carries the ball on through the middle puts the ball into Courtney free in space left of the D outside the box gets a shot away playing the ball wide across goal. Burton Albion make there final change with 8 minutes left on the clock, Abigail Taylor coming on for Emery wide right. Solihull make their final change too Hargreaves coming off Shannon Parkes joining the action. Grieve is fouled wide right to give Solihull a free-kick Courtney plays the ball into the area is attacked by Rushton-Butters who heads clear for Burton Albion on the penalty spot.
A rapid counter attack from Solihull the ball brought up the left played into Davies outside the area, holds the ball up with Grieve bombing forwards plays the ball inside into her, Grieve in turn helps it further in field with Pointon 25 yards out making the run meeting the ball on the run strikes it goalwards racing along the ground Sperry throws herself to her left diving to claim the ball. Into the last minutes of the game a tired goal-kick from Sperry falls to Grieve outside the box goes on the attack looking to take it back into the area, Rushton-Butters gets back to lunge in taking the ball deflecting off Grieve for a goal-kick.
A late chance for Burton Albion to get something from the match into injury time the visitors get the ball down the right wing stretching the Solihull defence the cross is swept into the six yard box, Cresswell from close range under challenge from Bovan gets something on the ball turning it goalwards the ball coming back off the post before being gathered by Parkes. The referee blows the final whistle, Solihull Ladies winning to advance into the FA Women's Cup 1st Round Proper for the 1st time.
Full-time Solihull Ladies 3-0 Burton Albion Ladies
An intriguing contest, Solihull proving to be the stronger side on the day, the higher league side taking their chances well scoring at timely intervals during the game. A 2-0 lead at half-time looking comfortable for it. Burton Albion despite being 2-0 down at the break defended well for the majority of the 1st half, had limited chances up the other end got in behind but the chances needed to be taken. Came on 2nd half causing the Solihull defence a few problems the home side having more left in the tank if needed getting the 3rd goal to put the tie beyond doubt. Advancing into Monday's 1st Round Proper draw will update once their opponents are known.
Good to see both sides in action, my thanks to both for their help with the team details always appreciated. Best of luck to Burton Albion Ladies in their push for promotion and to Solihull Ladies for the next round of the FA Women's Cup.
*UPDATE* the draw for the 1st Round Proper has been made and it will an away trip for Solihull Ladies and a derby match too taking on Wolverhampton Wanderers Ladies.
*UPDATE* the draw for the 1st Round Proper has been made and it will an away trip for Solihull Ladies and a derby match too taking on Wolverhampton Wanderers Ladies.
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