The Adobe Women’s FA Cup third round is now behind us but not before 66 goals went in, three hat-tricks were scored and some derby day bragging rights were doled out. The prize for victory this weekend was a chance to dance with the biggest teams in the country with Women’s Super League sides entering the draw in the next round.
The Halfway Line tie of the round: London Bees 6-3 (AET) Queens Park Rangers
When the final whistle blows in a match that ended 2-2, the next 30 minutes of extra time can often be cagey affairs with penalties looming, that was not the case at the Hive this Sunday. The encounter, which pitted West vs North London started at as frantic a pace as it concluded, London Bees took the lead within two minutes through Millie Isherwood, however by the eighth minute they were behind with Courtnay Ward-Chambers and Ashleigh Goddard on target for the visitors. The tie was turned on its head before half time when Jo Blodgett was sent off for a second bookable offence for QPR. Isherwood levelled the match in the adverse weather conditions in the second half forcing the game into extra time.
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QPR showed their spirit with ten players taking the lead minutes into extra time through Grace Stanley but the numerical advantage proved too much for the R’s. Isherwood put in a performance former London Bee Kelly Smith would be proud of completing her hat-trick and adding a fifth either side of goals from Lily Whitelock and Hailey Hoare to secure a place in the next round for London Bees. They will face Rugby Borough at home for a place in the fifth round after Borough ended Mancunian Unity’s fairy-tale cup run.
The Halfway Line player of the round: Charlotte Greengrass (Wolves)
Shrewsbury captured a few hearts in the last round knocking Sheffield FC out of the competition on penalties after a 3-3 draw. This time sterner opposition faced the Shrews. A visit to Wolverhampton was next on the cards and sadly it was a visit they will be eager to forget. The Shrews went into the half-time break 7-0 down, and while there is a tenancy in football after a high scoring half for the next half to be less bountiful Wolves would show no such mercy. The final score was 14-0 with Charlotte Greengrass nabbing five goals on the day. Greengrass had already settled in after signing for the Old Gold scoring four in the Black Country derby at the Hawthorns against West Bromwich Albion in October.
On the weekend Greengrass had a brace before halftime with a sumptuous volley alongside a calm finish when one on one with the goalkeeper. She completed her hat-trick just moments into the second half with her finessed effort finding the top corner. Greengrass added a fourth and a fifth later in the half, applying the finishing touches after a defensive error from the visitors while profiting from a smart cross from Katie Johnson to round off her impressive performance.
Wolves proved a tricky draw for Shrewsbury who had done exceptionally well to get this far making the third round for the first time. Wolves travel to Kayte Lane in the next round after Cheltenham Town saw off Norwich 2-1. They will also return to continue a tight battle at the top of the Women’s National League North with Greengrass’ former club Nottingham Forest leading the way currently.
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Championship sides arrive
The third round saw the entrance of the WSL Championship sides into this season’s FA Cup with the famous draw pitting the two highest ranked side’s against each other in Birmingham City and Durham. Durham, currently second in the table have been a surprise package and they came to St Andrews with a point to prove with some corners of WSL Championship observers awaiting their form to drop off. The Wildcats were almost off to the worst possible start as Lily Agg’s header was cleared off the line by Lily Crosthwaite. But Grace Ayre would step up for the underdogs to send the home side out of the competition scoring the only goal of the match, those observers may be waiting a long time for any semblance of vindication.
Elsewhere Charlton Athletic defeated Lewes 4-0 at the Valley and Bristol City beat Southampton away from home to ensure their name went into the hat on Monday night. Both were rewarded with glamour ties in London with Charlton drawing Champions Chelsea and Bristol City rewarded with a trip to Meadow Park to face Arsenal.
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Photo credit Grace Jones Photography
London City Lionesses ended Gwalia United’s inspiring run in the competition while Sunderland handsomely saw off Huddersfield Town to set up a tie with Exeter City who had proven too much for Worthing after extra time. Some of the sides struggling in the WSL Championship were given some respite with Sheffield United beating Liverpool Feds 2-0 while Portsmouth put their WSL Championship woes behind them even if only for a day. Pompey won 5-0 against Luton Town with the diminutive winger Sophie Quirk nabbing a hat-trick.
Derby day delight and despair
Fulham fought off a spirited effort from their lower league local rivals in Brentford on Sunday. Brentford gave as good as they got for much of first half and were able to go into the break with the scores level at 0-0. Shortly after the second half began, the Bee’s resistance was broken and the scorer of that dramatic late winner in the last round Ellie Olds headed Fulham into the lead. But with just under 20 minutes left to play Brentford fought back, former Fulham midfielder Nikki Woods played a long ball over the top to find Chloe Logie, Brentford’s electric markswoman, who levelled the scores with clinical precision.
Fulham showed their class arresting the Bee’s momentum by re-taking the lead moments later when Made Parsonson’s shot was saved by Evie Witek before Parsonson was able to bundle the ball home on the rebound. Despite late opportunities for Brentford, the Lilywhites held on to progress to the next round. The Bees can hold their heads up high and focus on their promotion charge as Fulham continue to challenge on multiple fronts. From one London derby to another Fulham will welcome London City Lionesses to Craven Cottage in the next round.
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Meanwhile in Tyne-Tees derby Newcastle welcomed their lower league rivals Middlesbrough to Kingston Park Stadium. Newcastle put a shaky start behind them to beat their local rivals 2-0 in an entertaining encounter. Early on Boro should have been ahead when Jess Mett intercepted a terrible back pass but was unable to convert the chance. Stubborn defensive resistance from Boro was broken before half time however when Hannah Greenwood pounced after Laura Wareham fumbled Katie Barker’s initial effort to put the home side ahead. Greenwood made sure of the result with her second after a goal mouth scramble was brilliantly finished off by the former Durham midfielder late in the second half.
More postponements
Last round it was Bert, this time it was Darragh as storms continue to cause havoc in this year’s FA Cup. AFC Bournemouth and Ipswich Town’s double header was postponed due to a failed pitch inspection leading up to kick off after heavy rainfall. The match will now take place on 15th December 2024 with Ipswich’s top of the table clash against Hashtag United that was originally set for that day to be rearranged. The reward for either side, a trip to Manchester to face Gareth Taylor’s City side.
Kidderminster Harriers’ will face Blackburn Rovers on the same day alongside Oxford United and Bristol Rovers after both matches were also postponed. Nottingham Forest and Burnley’s tie was postponed due to heavy rainfall with an alternative date yet to be announced.
The rest of the round up
West Bromwich Albion won 2-0 against Cheadle Town Stingers to set up a tie against holders Manchester United. On the day, a deflected effort from Taylor Reynolds got her name on the scoresheet for the first time in the Baggies colours putting them in the driving seat before a wonder goal from Seren Watkins confirmed the result. The tie against United will see the Rabjohn sisters reunited with Evie at Manchester United and Olivia plying her trade for the Baggies.
Stoke City also made the fourth round for the first time since 2019 coming from behind to beat Chester-le-street Town. They will travel to Leicester City in the next round.
The Fourth Round Draw
London Bees v Rugby Borough
Leicester City v Stoke City
West Ham v Liverpool
Arsenal v Bristol City
Chelsea v Charlton Athletic
Exeter City v Sunderland
Cheltenham Town v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Brighton & Hove Albion v Durham
Newcastle United v Nottingham Forest or Burnley
Kidderminster Harriers or Blackburn Rovers v Portsmouth
Manchester City v Ipswich Town or AFC Bournemouth
Aston Villa v Oxford United or Bristol Rovers
Everton v Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester United v West Bromwich Albion
Crystal Palace v Sheffield United
Fulham v London City Lionesses
Ties to be played on the weekend of 10th, 11th & 12th January 2025.