The Ladies team were back in Vitality Women’s FA Cup action at the weekend, looking to book a place in the second round of the competition as we took on lower league opposition in Penrith AFC Women. Find out how we got on in our latest weekly update!
Ten goal thriller as County progress to the next round of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup.
We hosted Penrith AFC Women of the NW Women’s Regional League, Division One on Sunday, in the Vitality Women’s FA Cup First Round. Teams and spectators all observed the minute’s silence for Remembrance Sunday prior to kick off. Conditions were beautiful, warm and sunny, which had unforeseen consequences in the first half-hour!
Having given Manager Steve O’Hara a scare in the last round of the Cup, going behind to lower league opposition in the first-half, County Ladies started the game at a pace. Penrith had no time to settle, and after seven minutes Maria Figueiredo had put County ahead, driving into the box to slot past the ‘keeper.
Then it all went a bit wrong. Penrith clearly hadn’t read the script and equalised after 12 minutes. The bright, low sun unsighting goalkeeper, Faye Bowness, and the County defence at a corner, allowing their player a clear header.
Penrith repeated the move five minutes later from the opposite corner, and County were trailing 1-2, a situation made worse ten minutes later when a long ball from midfield allowed Penrith to break and extend their lead. 1-3.
County were playing the better football but hadn’t made their chances count, Figueiredo and Hanifa Douglas both going close.
Half-time and a strongly worded team-talk were approaching when Douglas got a goal back on 40 minutes, allowing County to go in at the break with a little momentum.
Soon into the second half and Levi Rathburn was brought down in the Penrith area and converted the spot kick herself. Parity was restored, and County had the wind in their sails with Penrith starting to tire.
It was one way traffic from that point on with Bowness not seeing much of the ball. Douglas and Figueiredo both got their second goals, then Figueiredo completed her hattrick, outpacing a tiring Penrith defence and calmly beating the ‘keeper in the 81st minute.
Icing on the cake was provided by substitute Harriet Houghton, who got the seventh goal just before the referee blew for full time.
A very entertaining game for the spectators, with plenty to cheer for the travelling Penrith supporters in the first half! By the end, Steve O’Hara had regained his composure and was relieved to be in the draw for the next round.
“Well done to Penrith, who came with a plan and for 45 mins they made us look and question each other.
“But credit to our girls, who after half-time really took charge of the game and played some fantastic football, scoring some really good goals. Delighted for Maria, who scored a hat trick after what’s been a tough start to the season for her.
“I’m proud of the way we turned the game around and now we look forward to the next round on the 27th November, where we have a long trip north to face Consett.”
The Cup draw…
As Steve says, we are away to Consett Ladies AFC from the Durham County League, Division One in the next round. If we can continue our Cup run then there will be a chance of playing a side from The Barclay’s Women’s Championship in Round Three, but we’re taking it one game at a time!
Goodbye and good luck to Reserves coach…
This weekend we said goodbye and thank you to Ollie Thomasson, who has been Head Coach with the Reserves for the past four seasons. Ollie leaves to take up a post with another ‘local club’ based in Old Trafford.
Last season, Ollie was part of the coaching team that led County Ladies Reserves to success in the FAWNL Reserve Plate Competition, the Club’s only trophy at national level.
We wish Ollie all the best and hope to see him down at some matches when his new job allows.
Next up…
County are back in action at Stockport Sports Village this weekend as we host Hull City, looking to stretch our recent unbeaten run in the league.
Kick-off is at 2pm on the Sunday, and entry is free for all Stockport County season ticket holders – come on down and show your support!
