Womens FA Cup - First Round Proper
12th November
v Bromley (A)
Hard to make an assessment of the game after going so near to creating more FA Cup memories, but ultimately it wasn't to be our day.
The experience travelling up with the fans, players and family was something special and leaves us all wanting more. The game itself was a roller coaster for 90 minutes with both teams giving absolutely everything to be in the hat for the next round.
The ladies showed throughout the game they could go toe to toe and scored first with EILIDH CURRIE heading in after good work from and cross from Charmaine True 1-0. It stayed like that until half time
The 2nd half saw Bromley as expected come out and take the game to us and despite heroics all over the park it our lead was turned round leaving us 2-1 down with less than 10mins to play.
After changing things slightly to try and get back into the game, it took a wonderful passage of play culminating in EL WILLIAMS hitting a wonderful low drive on the edge of the area to make it 2-2.
Just when extra time looked on Bromley came again with a counterattack on 93mins and effectively breaking our hearts to book their place in the 2nd round.
Full Time 3-2
POTM El Williams sponsored by Jeff Grove had a fantastic game and typified our sides grit, determination and will to play the right way.
Many congratulations to Bromley, fabulous club, great hosts who we wish every success for the rest of the competition.
For us it's now back to the league and to ensure the continued progress made so far is furthered.
Portchester 7 - 0 Rushmoor Community res
HCWFL div 3
While our first team made club history in the first round of the Women’s FA CUP (and we followed from the bench), our development side finally got back to league action after a few weeks with no game. This one was also in doubt due to the weather until the last minute securing of a local 3G pitch - thanks to Bridgemary School accommodating.
We had a full squad of 16 available for this game and we used it to full effect, with the game struggling to settle down, we made a couple of changes around 20 minutes that seemed to spark us into life and we began to establish control. It still took until the 39th minute for JENNA SUTTON to break the deadlock following a flowing move down the right. A minute later the ball was in the net again after a cut back from Jenna found SHANIA MOORE unmarked in the box and she buried the ball into the net.
HT 2-0
We made some personnel changes and tactical tweaks at half time to nullify the opposition threats and within a minute of the restart we were 3 up, thanks to a devastating run and finish from the leagues top scorer HARLIE JONES, who added her second in almost carbon copy fashion just 4 minutes later.
Another 3 minutes saw JENNA SUTTON add her second to give a commanding 5-0 lead on 53 minutes.
We were now running the game and u18 player Hannah Moffat was dictating play through the middle in a performance that earned her POTM.
On the hour mark HARLIE JONES won the race to a hat trick - finishing with her left foot this time, JENNA SUTTON joined her on a hat trick ten minutes later, forcing the ball home from close range and completing the scoring.
By this point the heavens had well and truly opened and nobody was disappointed to hear that final whistle!
FT 7-0
Strong performances all over the pitch, Millie played the role of sweeper keeper superbly, Amber from our u18 helped to stabilise and settle our back line and Alice was a source of constant energy in creativity in the middle. We also saw the competitive debut for Frankie Manchip who did well in the left wing after coming on at half time.
On to Paulsgrove next week in the next round of the PDFA trophy.
POTM Hannah Moffat