BRENTFORD WIN CAPITAL WOMENS’ INTERMEDIATE CUP FINAL
This season’s Capital Women’s Intermediate Cup Final, between Brentford FC Women and Leatherhead FC Women, was contested on Sunday, 28th April at Dorking Wanderers’ Meadowbank Stadium.
The Capital Women’s Cups are 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 replaced the respective County Cups. This final was hosted by Middlesex FA.
Brentford Women were finalists in this cup last season, losing to Dorking Wanderers at Bedfont Sports by 3 unanswered second half goals. They reached this season’s final with victories over Hammersmith Women 2-0 away in round 1, Leyton Orient 5-0 away in round 3, Woking Women 1-0 at home in the Quarter-final and Cornets (Ladies) 7-1 at home in the semi-final. They had received a walk-over against Ruislip Rangers Ladies in round 2.
Leatherhead Women started their CWC campaign with huge home victories against Woking Wanderers Development (7-0) and Camden & Islington United 13-0. They then beat Larkspur Rovers Ladies 4-2 away and Camden Town Women 3-1 at home. They drew their home semi-final with Tooting Bec Women 2-2 before winning the resulting penalty shoot-out 6-5.
Both teams played skilful passing football and entertained the appreciative audience. Brentford dominated the opening stages and went 2 goals ahead during the first 10 minutes. Leatherhead then got into the match and put Brentford under pressure. However, the Bees’ solid defence, bolstered by dominant goalkeeping, resisted successfully.
Brentford scored a third goal shortly before the break. Leatherhead did not give up and continued to create chances in the second half but despite some awkward moments, Brentford kept them at bay and sealed an impressive performance with a 4th goal in the 90th minute.
Leatherhead suffered a setback within the first 2 minutes, when Ocean Garman suffered an injury to her shoulder, which forced her substitution.
The first keeper in serious action was Brentford’s Evie Witek, who saved Kacie May Harlow’s low shot, after Kacie had cut inside, following her run up the wing.
Brentford took the lead in the 5th minute, through Chloe Logie, after Nikki Woods had pulled the ball back to her, following some fine approach work.
Nikki’s shot was saved by Leatherhead keeper, Lara Burrows.
However, Brentford doubled their lead in the 10th minute, through a well struck long range drive into the top of the net by Maddie Phillips.
Eleonora Cotterell made a good run but was dispossessed by weight of numbers.
Lara Burrows saved from Chloe Logie. Then Eleonora released Chloe, who was foiled at the expense of a corner, by Ava Davenport.
Kirsty Matthews’ through ball found Chloe but she was thwarted by the advancing Leatherhead keeper.
Leatherhead then started to get into the game. Kacie May Harlow burst up the wing and her high cross was impressively taken by Evie Witek. Next, Evie made a good save from Megan Button.
Evie then saved a curling shot from Eva Keen and long-range efforts from Megan and Kacie May.
Brentford scored their 3rd goal in the 39th minute. Maddie Phillips hit a long ball through the middle to Chloe Logie, who converted with aplomb.
Half-time score: Leatherhead 0 Brentford 3
Kacie May Harlow was tripped just outside the Brentford penalty area. She took the freekick herself but fired too high.
Aesha Ayimba-Golding won the ball, worked her way through the Bees’ defence and forced a corner.
Eva Keen broke clear but her shot was charged down for a corner.
Chloe Logie’s break through the middle was halted by Tanya Dady’s saving tackle.
Evie saved well from Eva Keen.
Chloe set up Nikki Woods, whose long shot narrowly cleared the Leatherhead crossbar.
Evie Witek made a brave save at Aesha’s feet and then had to repeat this at Sophia Richardson-Hughes feet, following an under-hit back pass.
Chloe Logie was then foiled twice more, in her bid for a hattrick. Lara Burrows saved her close range shot from Ellen Wardlaw’s low cross. Then, her shot on the turn, from Nikki Woods’ pass, went just wide.
Leatherhead continued their efforts to breach Brentford’s defence. Aesha won the ball, took it on and brought a good save from Evie Witter. Cassie Brown cleared the crossbar. Aesha won the ball again and released Sophia Richardson-Hughes, who placed her shot wide.
Lucy Bolitho scored Brentford’s 4th goal, with a clever left-footed finish, in the 90th minute.
Final score: Leatherhead 0 Brentford 4
Our heartiest congratulations are due to Brentford, on securing this Cup for the second time. They were the winners of the inaugural final in 2014.
Referee Debbie Hartley enjoyed a very good match. She was ably supported by her Middlesex colleagues, assistant referees Gemma Day and Tommy Fondie and 4th official, Ali Matour.
Our special Guest of Honour was Katie Phillipson, now with the FA but formerly a valuable and popular member of the Middlesex FA staff. Katie was introduced to the teams and match officials, before the kick off and presented the cup and individual mementoes after the match.
Katie chose Brentford’s inspirational forward, Nikki Woods, as Player of the Match.
Our thanks are given to Dorking Wanderers, for the use of their fine stadium.
TEAM LINE-UPS:
Leatherhead: Lara Burrows, Tanya Dady (capt), Kacie May Harlow, Megan Button (Sophia Richardson-Hughes 62 mins), Affrika Alberts, Eva Keen (Leila Ayimba-Golding 76), Ocean Garman (Jess Thomas 2), Ava Devonport, Aesha Ayimba-Golding, Eloise Ashley and Cassie Brown.
Unused substitutes: Jaime Paige and Amy Stratford.
Manager: Neil Harlow
Coaches: Danny Jones and Joe Sheerin
Brentford: Evie Witek, Maddie Phillips (Chloe Webb 46), Regan Graver (Ellen Wardlaw 60), Samantha Read, Mollie Holmes (capt) (Jodie Reid 65), Freya Worsley, Eleonora Cotterell (Sophie Troth 32), Kirsty Matthews (Lucy Bolitho 76), Nikki Woods, Chloe Logie and Maddie Heavingham-Ford.
Head Coach: Karleigh Osborne
Assistant Head Coach: Sean Hillier
Coaches: Kevin Palma and Cameron Crook
Physios: Chris McCormick and Charles Rennie.
Referee: Deborah Hartley
Assistant Referees: Gemma Day and Tommy Fondie
Fourth Official: Ali Matour.
Attendance: 324
Report: Jim Taylor