The First Round Proper of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup competition was contested last Sunday, 3rd November and your Roving Team was at Bedfont Sports FC for the eagerly anticipated tie between Brentford and Ascot United. 

Those of us fortunate enough to see both of these sides perform in previous rounds of this season’s competition expected a closely contested and skilful match-up and we were not disappointed.

Brentford currently play at tier 6 of the Women’s Football Pyramid in the London and South Eastern Regional League Division 1 North.   Ascot United are a step higher at tier 5, in the Southern Region WFL Premier Division.   Both clubs are in excellent league form this season.   Brentford have won all 8 of their games, with a goal difference of +41.   Ascot United have won 5 of their matches and drawn the other one.   Their goal difference is +23.

The Bees had reached the First Round Proper stage of the Women’s FA Cup by beating North Leigh 18-1 away, Tilehurst Panthers 12-1 at home and tier 5 club, Sport London e Benfica 2-0, in their 3 qualifying rounds.

The Yellas received a bye into this season’s 2nd qualifying round, where they overcame Denham United 5-0.   They then beat Woodley United 8-2 in the 3rd qualifying round.

Brentford had the edge in an entertaining first half and led by 2 well taken goals from Ashley Cheatley at the interval.   The first of these was truly exceptional.   They scored a third goal almost immediately after the interval and momentarily appeared to have the result sewn up.   However, Ascot came straight back and scored twice within 2 minutes, to get right back into the game.   They then put the Bees defence under considerable pressure.   However, although there were chances at both ends, including a penalty for Brentford, no further goals came as the clock ran down.   As the game went into added time, the visitors upped their pressure but the Bees broke out and made the match safe, with a 4th goal manufactured by their deadly strike duo. 

After a cautious start by both sides, the Bees started to create some good chances.   Ashley Cheatley was released by Freya Worsley but shot too high.

Sam Read set up Maddie Phillips but her cross was comfortably taken by keeper Jodie Gray-Piazza.

Jodie made a good diving save to push Ashley Cheatley’s low drive around her post and then dealt with the resulting corner kick from Nikki Woods.

At the other end, Evie Witek saved Katie Fox’s low shot from the righthand side of the box.   Then Lucy Potter made a great saving tackle to thwart Leah Littlechild, who was through on goal in a good central position.

Ascot’s Olivia Glover had a golden chance, alone in front of goal with just the keeper to beat but decided against shooting.

Leah Littlechild’s cross-field ball set up Chloe Ball but her low shot was well saved by Evie Witek.

Brentford went ahead in the 31st minute, through an incredible opportunist goal by Ashley Cheatley, which she said afterwards was the best that she has ever scored.   She received a pass into the penalty area from Maddie Phillips with her back to goal, flicked the ball up and hit an overhead bicycle kick into the top corner of the net.

Olivia Glover broke clear up the left for the Yellas but her shot was pouched by Evie Witek.

In the 41st minute, Ashley doubled Brentford’s lead from close range, finishing a fine move involving Chloe Webb and Chloe Logie.

Half time score: Brentford 2   Ascot United 0

The Bees further extended their lead less than 2 minutes after the interval.   The Ascot keeper missed Mandie Phillips’ low cross from the right and Chloe Logie netted at the far post.

However, the visitors fought back immediately and put themselves back into the match with 2 quick goals.   In the 50th minute, half time substitute, Leah Robertson cut in from the left and netted with a low shot. 

Less than two minutes later, Olivia Glover lobbed over Evie Witek to further reduce her side’s deficit.

The Bees now lived dangerously for a time as the Yellas piled on the pressure.   They survived a particularly dangerous moment, when Evie saved at Leah Robertson’s feet, after the latter had been set up by Olivia Glover.

Brentford fought back and Ashley almost restored them to a safer position in the 65th minute, when she crashed a shot against the bar, from Chloe Logie’s pass.

The Bees had an even better opportunity to boost their lead 5 minutes later.   Ashley was tripped while making a run across the Ascot penalty box.  She received treatment and had to leave the field.   Meanwhile, Chloe took the resulting spot-kick and brought a good save from Jodie Gray-Piazza, diving to her left.

The Yallas continued to press but the Bees’ defence stood firm.   There was a lengthy injury stoppage, while the visitors’ Phillippa Holden was treated.   This contributed to the 10 minutes additional time that was played.

Evie Witek punched Katie Vince’s shot away.

Brentford’s strike duo finally clinched the match in the 4th minute of added time, when Chloe Logie converted Ashley’s low cross from the right.

This was a game that will live in the memory for a long time.   Both teams deserve congratulations for their contributions to a great afternoon’s entertainment.   Referee Nigel Owen’s sympathetic and accurate handling of the unfolding events also contributed to the enjoyable flow of the match.

Final score: Brentford 4   Ascot United 2

TEAM LINE-UPS

Brentford: Evie Witek, Carolin Engelhard, Samantha Read, Lucy Potter, Maddie Phillips, Mollie Holmes (capt), Freya Worsley, Chloe Webb (Regan Graver 74 mins), Nikki Woods (Habeebat Gbajabiamila 88), Chloe Logie and Ashley Cheatley.

Unused substitutes: Nour Aboul Kheir, Jodie Reid and Sophie Troth. 

Head Coach: Karleigh Osborne   Assistant Head Coach: Sean Miller   Coaches: Beata Ostrowska and Ollie Cottis   Physio: Charles Rennie.

Ascot United: Jodie Gray-Piazza, Georgia Luckhurst-McCord, Alixandra Todd (Leah Robertson 46), Erin Huntley, Jessica Drage, Charlie Torry (Phillippa Holden 46, Sophie Doyle 87), Kate Fox, Leah Littlechild (capt), Beth Lloyd, Chloe Ball (Katie Vince 74) and Olivia Glover.

Unused substitutes: Chloe Sadler, Ella Rowntree and Lauren Knight.

Manager: Andy Cox   Assistant Manager: Stuart Connor   GK Coach: Perry Dray   Physio: Jodie Davis. 

Referee: Nigel Owen  

Attendance: 502

Two other Middlesex clubs were involved in this round.   Queens Rangers won their match away to Penn & Tylers Green 3-0, with goals from Courtnay Ward-Chambers, Anna Maria Dzyadyk and Stevie Kennedy.   Unfortunately, Actonians lost 5-0 at Oxford United.

Brentford have been drawn at home to London Seaward in the 2nd Round Proper on Sunday, 24th November, while Queens Park Rangers will host Saltdean United from Sussex. 

Report: Jim Taylor

Photography: Chris Benn

PICKS

FULL SET