Match Report | WCWFC 1-2 Port Vale Women
City crashed out of the Women’s FA Cup following defeat at Sixways.
Photo by Flotography
Worcester looked to forget about their 4-3 last gasp defeat at Sixways against Gwalia United in the FA Women’s National League League Cup last time out as the Women's FA Cup returned for another season.
Last season, City made it to the Second Proper with all games being away from home, after defeating Stanground Cardea 3-1 and Sunday's opponents Port Vale 2-1. Worcester were knocked out by Leafield Athletic after a heartbreak penalty shoot out defeat following a 1-1 draw at the Castle Vale Stadium.
After a fantastic start from City, in the sixth minute, Maja Szymkowiak corner was met by the head of Jess Fassnidge, whose header just went wide of the post.
Ten minutes later, the visitors took the lead after their attacker found space in behind City’s defence and unleashed an unstoppable effort as it nestled into the top left hand corner of the net.
On the stroke of the half hour mark, Worcester almost found themselves two down after a looping effort from the visitors hit off the crossbar and the follow up shot was deflected over by a City defender.
Six minutes later, Szymkowiak’s corner fell to Olivia Stubbs whose original effort was saved and the follow up somehow didn’t end up in the back of the net.
Moments later, Kaye Haggett went close, after Mads Welham pass broke through the lines and Haggett’s effort flashed past the right hand post.
In first half stoppage time it was an almost immediate impact from Lowley after she met a Szymkowiak corner with a glancing header that just went wide.
Two minutes after the restart, City were level after Welham was fouled inside the area, skipper Jess Fassnidge dispatched the spot kick with authority into the bottom left hand corner.
Moments later, Fassnidge almost made it a brace inside a minute after she shot from distance, but the goalkeeper made the save.
Five minutes later, game changer Evie Billingsley hit the bar with a curling effort and the follow up effort from Olivia Stubbs was bravely saved by the goalkeeper as Worcester looked to turn the screw in the cup tie.
The visitors retook the lead five minutes after the hour mark when a shot from distance hit off the underside of the bar and fell to the striker who placed the ball into the net.
With twenty minutes to go City had a huge chance to equalise as Welham beat the defender for pace, however the goalkeeper made herself big to make the save.
Minutes later, after some fantastic play by Stubbs as she drove into the box and played in Welham whose effort was saved yet again by the goalkeeper and immediately following the corner Haggett hit a shot from the edge of the box, but her shot was deflected wide.
Five minutes from time, A Billingsley free kick caused all sorts of mayhem inside the box. The ball fell to Stubbs whose effort beat the goalkeeper, but couldn’t beat the defender on the line.
Worcester City Women are back in FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands on Sunday, 11th October as Chesterfield visit Sixways with kick off scheduled at the usual time of 2pm.
Performance Squad
The U18s had their first away trip of the season as they faced AFC Chelmsley on Saturday morning, hoping to bounce back following the open day defeat to Lye Town, however the game was postponed on Saturday morning.
Next up for the U18s is a Worcestershire FA Girls Saturday Cup tie away at Worcester City on Saturday, 10th October with a 10:30am kick off.
Last season the U18s were runners up in the competition after a fantastic cup run, they were beaten by Kidderminster Harriers at Claines Lane.
It was West Midlands Regional League Division One South action for the U21s, with Crusaders visiting Worcester on Sunday afternoon.
City were beaten 4-2 against Crusaders, with Chanelle Ward and Beth James with the Worcester goals.
Next up for the U21s is a trip to the Valley Stadium on Sunday, 11th October with a later kick off time of 3pm.
Thank you for your fantastic support, City fans. Up the City!!!
