The Second Qualifying Round of this season’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup competition got underway on Sunday last, 22nd September. Your Roving Team decided to watch Denham United Ladies away game at the splendid Racecourse ground, against Ascot United Women. 

Ascot United Women, also known as The Yellawomen, were formidable opposition. They play at Level 5 of the Women’s Football Pyramid in the Premier Division of the Southern Region Women’s League. They narrowly missed out on promotion to the National League last season, finishing second, 4 points behind title winners Abingdon United. Ascot United are currently top of their league table, with 7 points from their 3 games and a goal difference of +15. Their status gave them a bye in the First Qualifying Round of this competition.

Denham United currently compete at Level 6 of the Women’s Football Pyramid, in the London and South East Regional League Division 1 North. They had qualified for this round by beating Ruislip Rangers 8-0 at home.

Ascot United proved to be as good as their record and position in the Pyramid indicated. They played some fine football and eventually recorded a comfortable win. However, Denham United should be proud of their performance. They resisted doggedly and kept Ascot at bay for most of the first half. The hosts’ first goal didn’t arrive until the 36th minute. Another goal followed within 2 minutes to put Ascot 2-0 up at the break. Ascot controlled the second half and scored a third goal just before the hour mark before adding 2 more in the closing stages.

Both goalkeepers were in early action, each taking crosses from wide angles. In the 5th minute, Zara Butt, who was superb in goal for Denham and acted as a sweeper on many occasions, left her box to dispossess the oncoming Beth Lloyd. This scenario was repeated 3 minutes later.

Then Beth Lloyd was set up by skipper, Philippa Holden and raced into the penalty area but was again foiled by the advancing Zara Butt’s foot. Then Beth burst through again but was once more thwarted by Zara.

At the other end Liana Horwood outpaced her marker and crossed but keeper Chloe Sadler scrambled the ball away. Then Jenny Nagle shot narrowly wide of the left-hand post.

The second part of a double save by Zara resulted in the ball rebounding to Liv Glover, who fired wide. 

Denham lost their influential midfielder Beckie Currivan, who limped off for treatment in the 25th minute. She was unable to return to the action and was eventually replaced by Phoebe Smith in the 32nd minute.

An Ascot defensive error gifted the ball to Sofia Harris but she tamely mishit the ball to keeper, Chloe Sadler.

Ascot went ahead in the 36th minute, through Liv Glover, who after being set up by Leah Littlechild, brought the ball under control and netted.

Ascot doubled their lead 2 minutes later when Leah Littlechild sped up the wing and squared for Beth Lloyd to net from close range.

Lizzy Rose had a chance for Denham but fired wide from just outside the area.

Ascot’s Lauren Knight gained possession, after Zara had left her box to clear and lobbed towards the empty net. However, Zara managed to get back to take the ball high up. 

Leah Littlechild outpaced the Denham defence and took the ball around the keeper, whose challenge forced her too wide to convert the chance.

Sofia Harris’ low drive brought a good save from Chloe Sadler, in added time before the interval. The ball rebounded to Phoebe Smith, who was foiled by Lauren Knight’s timely tackle.

Half-time score: Ascot United Women 2 Denham United Ladies 0 

Ascot United changed their goalkeeper for the second half, bringing on Jodie Gray-Piazza.

Zara Butt started the second half with a succession of saves. She stopped Beth Lloyd’s drive with her legs, dived to hold Leah Littlechild’s low cross and saved at close range from Liv Glover.

Rachel Keighley’s well-timed interception foiled Leah Littlechild, at the expense of a corner.

Leah Littlechild scored Ascot’s 3rd goal in the 58th minute. She took Philippa Holden’s through ball up the middle and chipped it home from around 25 yards.

Zara saved Liv Glover’s shot from 12 yards, after the latter had been set up by Leah Littlechild and Beth Lloyd.

Liv Glover released Leah Littlechild but Zara Butt again left her area to clear. Zara made further saves from Beth Lloyd, Leah Robertson and Philippa Holden. 

Zara was stranded outside her area after initially breaking up an attack, when Beth Lloyd netted Ascot’s 4th goal from long range in the 81st minute.

Ascot were awarded a debateable penalty in the 83rd minute, after Amna Butt had made what looked like a good saving tackle on Danielle Kjaer. However, justice seemed to have been done, when Zara saved Beth Lloyd’s penalty kick. This save put the seal on a magnificent goalkeeping performance by Zara.

Danielle Kjaer, who was making her first team debut, won possession from a defender and netted Ascot’s 5th goal in the 90th minute.

Final Score: Ascot United Women 5 Denham United Ladies 0

Referee Robert Folly and his assistant referees controlled the proceedings very well.

Our thanks go to Ascot United Secretary, Ricky Simons and Programme Editor/Match Reporter, Neal Jeffs, for their warm welcome.

TEAM LINE-UPS

Ascot United Women: Chloe Sadler (Jodie Gray-Piazza 46), Lauren Knight, Jessica Drage (Leah Robertson 46), Charlie Torry, Georgia Luckhurst-McCord, Maddie Robertson, Philippa Holden (capt) (Katie Fox 79), Leah Littlechild (Danielle Kjaer 67), Beth Lloyd, Alix Todd and Liv Glover (Sophie Doyle 67).

Manager: Nathan Baker   

Assistant Manager: Will Blithing   

GK Coach: Perry Dray   

Physio: Jodie Davis.

Denham United Ladies: Zara Butt, Jo Torr (Jess Stickley 63 min), Amna Butt, Annie Hewitt (capt), Rachel Keightley, Rebecca Horwood (Ella Greenwood 70), Lizzie Rose (Megan Kennedy 70), Beckie Currivan (Phoebe Smith 32), Sofia Harris, Liana Horwood and Jenny Nagle.

Manager: Mark Currivan   

Assistant Manager: Frank Baranowski   

Physio: Diya Jadeja.

Referee: Robert Folly   

Assistant Referees: Ilaria Rossi and Charlie Chalmers.

Attendance: 75

Report: Jim Taylor

PICKS

FULL SET