FAWNL Cup Second Round

Last weekend saw a return to cup action for the region's FAWNL teams and the FAWNL Cup Quarter final draw hasn't half produced a cracker of a cup tie for 1st December 2024. 

Durham Cestria's FAWNL Plate run has come to an end for this season. Following a 4-1 loss to Middlesbrough in the first "El Lassico" of the season back in August in the FAWNL Cup Determining Round, Cestria recorded a 0-2 victory against Northern Premier Division side Sporting Khalsa to set up last weekend's all Division One North clash with Stockport County in the second round of the Plate.

Nikki Gears in the starting 11 for Cestria and fantastic news that Anna Soulsby's ACL GoFundMe has hit it's £12k target so hopefully not long until Anna can begin her road to recovery. 

A strong start from the home team saw them open the scoring on 22 minutes. A free Stockport free kick was launched into the Cestria penalty area, after being headed back across goal it was tapped in at the post by Maria Figueiredo.

No change in the score going in at half time but seemingly the home side very much in control of the match. 

Almost a Cestria equaliser early in the second half. A superb back peddling save from Stockport County keeper Lucy Farrell denying, I believe, Nikki Gears from levelling things up.

Stockport wrapped up the match in the 86th minute, captain Kennedy Owen converting a spot kick after Jess Brady was fouled in the penalty area. 

Stockport host Cheltenham Town in the quarter final. This Wednesday just gone, they beat FC United of Manchester 4-0 to add the Women's Super Cup (Cheshire County Cup winners vs Manchester County Cup winners) to their Cheshire County Cup, congratulations Stockport County.

Next up for Cestria is the first league "El Lassico" this afternoon. 

In the FAWNL Cup last 16, Northern Premier Division leaders Nottingham Forest comfortably defeated Division One Midlands leaders Peterborough United 6-0 to progress to the quarter final. Forest of course won this competition in 2023 under the leadership of former NUW assistant manager Andy Cook. 

A relatively quiet first half for Forest. Charlie Wellings made it 1-0 after 11 minutes, her 10th of the season. Meeting a long cross at the back post, Wellings took a touch to bring the ball down then fired back across the goal into the top corner. Nicely taken goal. Forest doubled their lead just before half time, an unchallenged header from Mel Johnson, some nice passing between the midfielders in the build up to this goal, a well worked attack dowm the right wing. 

Johnson doubled her tally for the day 10 minutes into the second half, receiving the ball on the edge of the box her first touch took her past the Peterborough full back and she slid the ball past the keeper into the bottom corner. 

Bridget Galloway came on as a 63rd minute sub for two goal Mel Johnson. 4 minutes later, Galloway with her 5th of the season making it 4-0. A classic Bridget goal, running on to a through ball into the box she got to the ball just before the keeper, lifting it over the Peterborough keeper and into an empty net. Feed the GOAT and she will score. 

Second half sub Sophie Domingo made it 5 in the 86th minute, tapping home a rebound from a saved Forest shot and Millie Chandarana made it 6 in the 9th minute. That's 10 wins in all competitions for Forest this season and 4 consecutive wins heading into this weekend's international break. 

Undefeated Middlesbrough hosted Northern Premier Division side West Bromwich Albion, their second tier 3 opponent in this cup run. 

Laura Wareham (C), Keira Skelton, Ellen Packham, Ellen Turnbull, Boro September Player of the Month Lauren Robson, Leanna Giles, Sharna Wilkinson and Millie Bell started for Boro. 

The tier 3 visitors would've went 0-1 up after 15 mins if not for the goal post, then 3 mins later shouts for a Boro penalty following a trip on Ellen Turnbull in the box were waved away by the ref. Boro again almost took the lead on 25 minutes, Robson getting on the end of a Turnbull cross and playing a short pass to Jess Mett who sees her volley narrowly go wide of the post. 

2 minutes later Robson did but Boro ahead. Pressuring the WBA centre back at the edge of the box, Robson pounced on a loose ball and hit a right footed rocket into the top of the net.

Shortly into the second half, the match was delayed due to an injury to Jess Mett, the Boro player being taken to hospital as a precaution. Never nice to see footballers requiring hospital visits, speedy recovery Jess. Grace Boyes replaced Keira Skelton after 72 minutes due to an injury to Skelton. It's been great to see Keira back on a football pitch this season, hopefully it's not an injury that will keep her out long. Hope you are back soon Keira. 

Yellow cards for Turnbull, Boyes and Robson in the last 15 mins but Boro hold on to despatch their second tier 3 opponent and set up a quarter final at home to Bridget Galloway's Nottingham Forest, tie to take place on 1st December. Both teams are the only unbeaten team in their respective league's, this promises to be a classic. But first, Cestria in the league. 

Erin Nelson returned to the Stoke City starting 11, playing 63 minutes, as Stoke edged Liverpool Feds 3-1 AET to secure their quart final spot.

Last season's winners Hashtag United also make the quarter final stage but I've a suspicion whoever comes out on top between Boro and Forest will lift the trophy.