Sutton United Women v Islington Borough Ladies F.C. (FA Cup)
Sept 1, 2019 15:54:12 GMT
Stewart and oohaah like this
Post by trev on Sept 1, 2019 15:54:12 GMT
Within 24 hours of yesterday’s disappointing display I was back at Gander Green Lane to see if our women could progress beyond the preliminary round of the FA cup, a feat which our women have never managed before…
Even Jenny the Giraffe made an appearance and I guesstimated the crowd at just shy of a ton. The public announcement indeed confirmed an official attendance of 99. If only Billy had put in an appearance, I know how much he appreciates a good century…
I was expecting a tight game against Islington Borough Ladies FC, given that we drew against them twice last season, both home and away.
Our winger Neves (number 23) tested Islington early on receiving a delightful through ball leading to a one on one against the imposing figure of Abimbola in the Islington goal. The ensuing shot was saved and Neves sent her shot from the rebound just wide of the far post.
Islington won a corner thereafter which was easily headed away. Ocampo (number 21) also worked the flank well in the first half but couldn’t find a way past their left back (number 4).
We continued to attack well and won a corner. Darcy Wells struck well from outside the box but her shot carried just wide of the left upright.
Three minutes later Islington nearly snatched a goal of their own when keeper Hersey (number 1) came darting out of her area but failed to properly clear the ball. Fortunately, captain Colliver was on hand to cover an otherwise open goal and cleared the danger comfortably.
Minutes later, Islington won another corner which saw keeper Hersey at full stretch to deny Islington, but only just.
Ocampo (number 21) shot from an acute angle just before the half time whistle. Their keeper had it covered but it was well worth a dig. Unfortunately, right back Riley (number 25) saw fit to berate her teammate for taking on the shot, but in my view Ocampo had every right to. It was the only element of negativity in an otherwise positive first half display.
Although we edged the half on chances, Islington’s pace almost unlocked us a couple of times so they were arguably the more dangerous of the two sides overall.
Early in the second half, Islington really pressed us with a shot from their number 14 heading just inside the left upright. Fortunately, Hersey at full stretch was again on hand to push the ball wide.
Neves continued to show good movement on the left wing and a crafty lob from centre back Tamara Graham (number 4) had Islington’s keeper beaten but the ball bounced off the crossbar. By far the best chance of the game so far…
With just 20 minutes of the 2nd half down, Islington’s number 2 went down in the box with cramp and it looked like the tie might be settled by stamina…
Number 25 Aisha Riley was replaced by number 16 Daisy Warren to give us a little more solidity at the back. Riley spent too much time upfront for my liking and not enough time defending. I’m not sure having a defender that goal hungry works in our best interests.
However, just two minutes after Riley was subbed off, an exquisite strike from range, arguably against the run of play, nestled in the top right corner of our goal giving the away side a one goal lead from Cameron Williams' shot.
Islington continued to press looking for a second goal and very nearly got one just four minutes later when they headed just over our bar from a dangerous free kick outside the area.
A minute later it was very nearly curtains for us when Islington hit the upright and we were well and truly on the ropes.
The following minute almost saw Islington burst clear on goal but a deftly sprung offside trap just about denied them.
With less than twenty minutes to go, Sutton started to rally. A well connect header from Faye Butler (number 9) from a quick whipped in cross flashed towards goal but sadly it was straight at the keeper.
Four minutes later, from another excellent cross deep in Islington’s territory, this time Faye Butler headed it past their keeper with a fantastic connection, one all game on!
But no, the linesman’s flag was up for offside much to the players’ dismay and most of the 99 spectators. I can’t say it looked offside to me, I was pretty sure Islington played us onside but the ref was having none of it.
Unsurprisingly, after having a quality goal scrubbed off and with mere minutes left, frustration began to creep into our play, but still we continued to come forward with potency.
Our left back Evie Nebbit in particular kept pushing up and asking Islington questions and it looked like a late equaliser was still on the cards, especially when Nebbit was brought down just outside their area. I understand she is the youngest player ever to play for our first team. A wise head on young shoulders with quick feet, she has a promising future ahead of her…
With a free kick in a very dangerous position, striker Darcy Wells stepped up to take it. Her venomous shot went rocketing just over Islington’s bar much to keeper Abimbola’s relief.
Seconds later, the final whistle blew, and a jubilant Islington side celebrated a narrowly fought victory against a home side who never gave up and kept going ‘til the very end.
I was well impressed with the team spirit today, especially from central midfielder Gabby Howell (number 8) who kept marshalling the squad and motivating her teammates.
Although progression in the cup wasn’t to be, I very much look forward to the start of the new season later on this month and here’s hoping for a third consecutive promotion…
Even Jenny the Giraffe made an appearance and I guesstimated the crowd at just shy of a ton. The public announcement indeed confirmed an official attendance of 99. If only Billy had put in an appearance, I know how much he appreciates a good century…
I was expecting a tight game against Islington Borough Ladies FC, given that we drew against them twice last season, both home and away.
Our winger Neves (number 23) tested Islington early on receiving a delightful through ball leading to a one on one against the imposing figure of Abimbola in the Islington goal. The ensuing shot was saved and Neves sent her shot from the rebound just wide of the far post.
Islington won a corner thereafter which was easily headed away. Ocampo (number 21) also worked the flank well in the first half but couldn’t find a way past their left back (number 4).
We continued to attack well and won a corner. Darcy Wells struck well from outside the box but her shot carried just wide of the left upright.
Three minutes later Islington nearly snatched a goal of their own when keeper Hersey (number 1) came darting out of her area but failed to properly clear the ball. Fortunately, captain Colliver was on hand to cover an otherwise open goal and cleared the danger comfortably.
Minutes later, Islington won another corner which saw keeper Hersey at full stretch to deny Islington, but only just.
Ocampo (number 21) shot from an acute angle just before the half time whistle. Their keeper had it covered but it was well worth a dig. Unfortunately, right back Riley (number 25) saw fit to berate her teammate for taking on the shot, but in my view Ocampo had every right to. It was the only element of negativity in an otherwise positive first half display.
Although we edged the half on chances, Islington’s pace almost unlocked us a couple of times so they were arguably the more dangerous of the two sides overall.
Early in the second half, Islington really pressed us with a shot from their number 14 heading just inside the left upright. Fortunately, Hersey at full stretch was again on hand to push the ball wide.
Neves continued to show good movement on the left wing and a crafty lob from centre back Tamara Graham (number 4) had Islington’s keeper beaten but the ball bounced off the crossbar. By far the best chance of the game so far…
With just 20 minutes of the 2nd half down, Islington’s number 2 went down in the box with cramp and it looked like the tie might be settled by stamina…
Number 25 Aisha Riley was replaced by number 16 Daisy Warren to give us a little more solidity at the back. Riley spent too much time upfront for my liking and not enough time defending. I’m not sure having a defender that goal hungry works in our best interests.
However, just two minutes after Riley was subbed off, an exquisite strike from range, arguably against the run of play, nestled in the top right corner of our goal giving the away side a one goal lead from Cameron Williams' shot.
Islington continued to press looking for a second goal and very nearly got one just four minutes later when they headed just over our bar from a dangerous free kick outside the area.
A minute later it was very nearly curtains for us when Islington hit the upright and we were well and truly on the ropes.
The following minute almost saw Islington burst clear on goal but a deftly sprung offside trap just about denied them.
With less than twenty minutes to go, Sutton started to rally. A well connect header from Faye Butler (number 9) from a quick whipped in cross flashed towards goal but sadly it was straight at the keeper.
Four minutes later, from another excellent cross deep in Islington’s territory, this time Faye Butler headed it past their keeper with a fantastic connection, one all game on!
But no, the linesman’s flag was up for offside much to the players’ dismay and most of the 99 spectators. I can’t say it looked offside to me, I was pretty sure Islington played us onside but the ref was having none of it.
Unsurprisingly, after having a quality goal scrubbed off and with mere minutes left, frustration began to creep into our play, but still we continued to come forward with potency.
Our left back Evie Nebbit in particular kept pushing up and asking Islington questions and it looked like a late equaliser was still on the cards, especially when Nebbit was brought down just outside their area. I understand she is the youngest player ever to play for our first team. A wise head on young shoulders with quick feet, she has a promising future ahead of her…
With a free kick in a very dangerous position, striker Darcy Wells stepped up to take it. Her venomous shot went rocketing just over Islington’s bar much to keeper Abimbola’s relief.
Seconds later, the final whistle blew, and a jubilant Islington side celebrated a narrowly fought victory against a home side who never gave up and kept going ‘til the very end.
I was well impressed with the team spirit today, especially from central midfielder Gabby Howell (number 8) who kept marshalling the squad and motivating her teammates.
Although progression in the cup wasn’t to be, I very much look forward to the start of the new season later on this month and here’s hoping for a third consecutive promotion…
