Sunday 13 October 2024
Adobe Women's FA Cup
3rd Qualifying Round
West Didsbury & Chorlton 1
Bergin 15
Rossington Main 2
Breen 2
Mortimer 80
Attendance: 168
West line-up:
1 Dickin, 4 Bowett-Robinson (18 Simons 69), 5 Mason (c), 6 Simpson (10 Davies 75), 8 Irving, 9 Bergin, 11 Randles (2 Albo 63), 16 Vyas, 19 Brown, 20 Bradshaw (15 Bracegirdle 50), 21 Henderson. Subs not used: 3 Soñes Devally, 31 Jefferson.
Our journey in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup came to a premature end at the Third Qualifying Round on Sunday at the hands of Doncaster-based side Rossington Main. Avilla Bergin scored a great first-half goal to level the scores after an early away goal, but it wasn’t to be.
The visitors, who play in the Sheffield & Hallamshire Women & Girls League, came into the match in fine form, fourth in their league but with four games in hand on the league leaders. With 3 wins from 3 this season – including a 10-0 win and a 9-0 away win in their September fixtures – they promised to be a difficult test for our Women’s side.
Within 75 seconds, Rossington Main had made their mark and taken the lead through Lauren Breen, who capitalised on a defensive mix-up at the back. Rosso’s Meanwell lofted a ball from near the halfway line in between two West defenders, who couldn’t get it clear, allowing Breen to reclaim the ball, turn, and curl a low shot past Dickin into the bottom corner.
Not wanting to rest on their laurels, the visitors kept coming, looking for a second, while West held firm and tried to push for the equaliser. Dickin was forced into a good save from a Sarah Black free-kick, to keep the score at 1-0.
Moments later, West were able to capitalise on that good defensive work and levelled the scores through former Tottenham and Northern Ireland international forward, Avilla Bergin. Chloe Henderson won a midfield battle, before threading the ball through the Rosso defence for a sprinting Bergin, who was kept well onside by a Rosso defender. After taking a moment to steady herself, Bergin fired a shot over Rosso’s Mortimer in goal and into the top-corner.
After getting level, West looked the better team and more likely to score again before the break. Holly Bradshaw, who was making her West debut, had two great chances to score but couldn’t get enough on her shots to beat Mortimer. Henderson also came close, forcing a good save, while Bergin nearly found the top corner a second time, before Rosso’s ‘keeper tipped her shot onto the post.
Following the break, the game devolved into a scrappier affair, with some feisty tackles flying in and not many chances for either side. West brought on fresh legs in an attempt to break the deadlock, but never really got going in the second half.
In the end, the visitors’ physical strength and resilience started to show, and they nearly took the lead with 20 minutes to go, with a firm shot striking Dickin’s bar. On 80 minutes, they took their chance and retook the lead through Ella Mortimer, whose chip went over Dickin and just under the bar.
West pushed for an equaliser but struggled to carve out real chances on Rosso’s goal, before the referee called time, sealing West’s cup exit and leaving us with more chance to focus on the league, where we’re unbeaten in four games.
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Your Player of the Match was Kye Brown, who is sponsored by Steve Eckersley.
Kye was chosen by ShinDigger Beer Supporter of the Match, Lois!
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Browse through our wonderful match galleries, from club photographers:
Nathan Ashmall, Chris Michell, Jack Todd and Christina Bowett.
