MIDDLESEX FA STAGE CAPITAL WOMENS' JUNIOR CUP FINAL
This season’s Capital Women’s Junior Cup Final, between Millwall Lionesses U18 team and Brentford Women’s B team was played on Sunday, 23rd April at Bedfont Recreation Ground, the home of Bedfont Sports FC. The match was hosted by Middlesex FA.
This trophy is competed for by clubs affiliated to London, Surrey and Middlesex FAs and the Amateur Football Alliance. The competition, which started in the 2013/14 season, is divided into Senior, Intermediate and Junior Sections and has successfully replaced the respective county cups.
The Millwall Lionesses U18 team had a walkover in the first round of this season’s competition and then reached the final with 4 away victories, beating Tower Hamlets (5-2) in round 2, AFC Leyton (8-0) in round 3, Actonians Ladies 3rds (2-0) in the quarter-final and Impact (1-0) in the semi-final.
Brentford B team received a bye in round 1 and then beat Ruislip Rangers 3-2 (away), AFC Wimbledon Girls Development in a penalty shoot-out, after a 1-1 home draw, Civil Service Women 2-0 (home) and Tooting Bec 3-1 (home).
Millwall dominated the opening stages of this entertaining game and were two goals ahead inside 9 minutes. Brentford fought their way back into contention and reduced the arrears in the 33rd minute. Millwall restored their two-goal lead 11 minutes after the interval but Brentford didn’t give up and scored their second goal with 9 minutes of normal time remaining. They pressed hard for an equaliser, without success.
Millwall mounted the first attack. Chloe Brian shot across the goal after being put through by Melissa Jones.
The Lionesses went ahead in the 5th minute through Ellie Hinkley. Chloe’s cross found Melissa, who released Ellie to net from close range.
Chloe Brian doubled the lead in the 8th minute, with a lob over keeper, Emily Boycott from wide on the right.
Emily Boycott stopped a shot by Mia South from around 30 yards and then saved at Ellie Hinkley’s feet.
Brentford came into the match and scored in the 34th minute, through skipper Kasey Clifford, who intercepted a Millwall defender’s pass and smashed the ball, from outside the penalty area, into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal.
Melissa Jones broke through for Millwall but shot narrowly wide.
Brentford’s Charlotte Halpin worked her way though the Millwall defence but her shot went narrowly wide. She then had another good effort which was just too high.
Half-time score: Millwall Lionesses U18 team 2 Brentford B team 1
Charlotte Halpin was in action again immediately after the interval, bringing a brave save from Millwall keeper, Wiktoria Gmiterek who dived at her feet.
Millwall were awarded a penalty in the 56th minute, following a tackle by Nia Bowman on Frances Kerr. Emily Boycott saved Melissa Jones’s spot kick but the latter netted from the rebound, to make the score 3-1.
Brentford hit back. A good long ball over the Millwall defence, by Kasey Clifford, was cut out by a defender, who just managed to reach it first. Kasey’s low shot was blocked and her freekick from around 35 yards was saved by the Lionesses’ keeper. Charlotte Halpin fastened onto a through ball but shot wide.
Millwall’s Ronni Nicoll broke up the left wing but her low cross was taken by Emily Boycott.
Brentford’s pressure paid off in the 81st minute, when Chelsey Logan’s shot from outside the box deceived keeper, Wiktoria Gmiterek and flew into the net for their second goal.
Brentford went in search of an equaliser but the nearest that they came to one was Kasey Clifford’s shot, in added time, which just cleared the Millwall crossbar.
Millwall substitute, Quina Dillon Bent caused problems for Brentford’s defence on the break. She tested Emily Boycott with a low angled drive and then set up Millie Selfe, who couldn’t capitalise on the opening.
Final score: Millwall Lionesses U18 team 3 Brentford B team 2
The game was well controlled by referee Sachin Patel, with splendid support from his team of Middlesex colleagues.
The Guest of Honour was Gill Taylor, an influential and well-known figure in ladies’ football, in her capacity as Secretary of the Capital Women’s Cup Committee. Gill was introduced to the teams and match officials before the kick-off and presented the Cup and mementoes after the match. She selected the Lionesses’ Melissa Jones as Player of the Match.
Our thanks are given to Bedfont Sports FC, for allowing us the use of their splendid facilities and for their hospitality on the day.
TEAM LINE-UPS:
Millwall Lionesses U18: Wiktoria Gmiterek, Ella Brian, Ronni Nicoll, Mia South, Mollie Selfe, Ruby Dythe, Chloe Brian, Ayamarie Brown, Ellie Hinkley (capt), Melissa Jones and Milan Shakespeare-Simms.
Rolling substitutes: Sophie Eyres, Millie Selfe, Frances Kerr, Chloe Jardine and Quiana Dillon-Bent.
Manager: Ted Jones Assistant Manager: Clinton Brian.
Brentford B: Emily Boycott, Kasey Clifford (capt), Lillie Elsbury, Abigail Claringbold, Karen Abou Abdallah, Nia Bowman, Izzy Edwards, Maddie Heavingham Ford, Aleksandra Dzikowska, Calli Weaver and Charlotte Halpin.
Rolling substitutes: Cheyenne Faulkner, Chelsey Logan, Olivia Thick, Betsy Harwood and Hannah Quinton.
Manager: Tommy Ryan-Maynard Coaches: Charlotte Tanner and Beata Ostrowska Physio: Charles Rennie.
Referee: Sachin Patel Assistant Referees: Alfie Davidson and Monicah Kusemwa Fourth Official: Surekha Griffiths.
FOOTNOTE:
The Capital Women’s Intermediate Cup final, which was hosted by London FA, preceded this game at Bedfont Sports FC, on the afternoon of 23rd April. Brentford Women’s first team were involved in this match but were beaten 3-0 by Dorking Wanderers. The goals were all scored in the second half, by Charlotte Keenan, Gemma Shephard and Xayla Rae Alberts.
We thank Chris & Jim for attending this game. Chris and Jim have selected their favourite shots from the game with Chris kindly providing a full album of imagery.
Full Album Courtesy of Chris Benn
Photography - Chris Benn