Saturday football was a complete write-off this past weekend. The weather was the biggest culprit, cancelling both my daughter's game and my chosen Saturday afternoon viewing. However, Sunday dawned much brighter and I had a good few choices for an afternoon of entertainment. I eventually chose a Chairman's Cup tie between two sides who share a place in Division One North, Beaconsfield Town and Penn & Tylers Green. Although I have been to Holloways Park a few times before to see Beaconsfield's men's team and, more recently, for the Berks & Bucks Cup Final between Penn and Caversham United in March 2022 (Merritt Award), this would be the first time I had seen The Rams' ladies play. The teams had faced each other at the same location back on the first day of the season. This was Beaconsfield's opening game in the Southern Region League after making a two division leap from the Thames Valley League Division Two. Penn gave them a tough welcome that day winning 8-2 with Rebecca Stopforth hitting a hat-trick aided by two from Henna Hussain and further goals from Rachel Harnby, Ellie Ludgate-Williams and Evie Matthews. Lucy Casey scored twice in the second half for Beaconsfield. However, the Rams have steadily played themselves into this level of football and have won three out of their last four league games. Penn, meanwhile, have been a little off colour recently, by their standards, losing two out of their last three in the league.
Freya Harris scores The game was delayed by a couple of minutes but got under way at 14:04 with Beaconsfield, without the services of top scorer Grainne McNally in the squad, kicking toward the Dave Piercy end of the ground. After an early Beaconsfield corner that came to nothing, it was Penn who manufactured the first real opportunity of the game in the sixth minute. League top scorer Henna Hussain was played in on the left and then cut inside before curling a shot narrowly wide of Hyde's left-hand post.
The game was swinging from one end to the other, a trend that continued throughout the first half. With only 8 minutes on the clock it was, once again, Beaconsfield's turn to go close when Erin Dennis fired a shot just over the bar. Then, in the next minute they had the ball in the back of the Penn net only to be pulled back by the assistant's flag, which had been rightly raised for offside. Town were putting together some very nice passages of play, the next of which culminated in Freya Harris driving a shot into the side netting.
Penn them went close themselves when Liberty Dieppe latched onto a ball inside the home penalty area. Her shot was brilliantly tipped onto the post by Elsbeth Hyde who earned a little good fortune when the ball rebounded straight back into her arms. However, the relief was short-lived. With fifteen on the clock, Penn went ahead. There were awarded a free-kick way out on the right touchline for a foul on Ludgate-Williams. The winger got up to take the kick herself, firing it in towards the near post, deceiving Hyde who could only help the ball on its way into the net. 0-1
The goal had come slightly against the overall run of play but the home side didn't let their heads drop and they were only behind for 11 minutes. Strangely their equaliser also came direct form a free-kick out near the touchline. This time from their left where Freya Harris delivered a beauty, curling in towards the far post, it beat Tobin before striking the woodwork and going in. 1-1.
The game continued in the same vein, with both sides knocking the ball around nicely and the play moving from one end to the other. With ten minutes remaining, Dieppe fired just wide after more good work from Ludgate-Williams, who had taken the ball across the face of the penalty area before slipping in Dieppe. Then, five minutes later, Erin Dennis split the Penn defence with a lovely ball inside the full-back for substitute Naomi Gerhardt to run onto and fire into the side netting. A few minutes later Town were close again. Lucy Casey, whose pace and willingness to chase down balls was a constant thorn in the Penn side, got in behind the defence and drove towards the box. Good defending forced her a little wider than she would have liked and, once again, the shot fizzed into the side netting when maybe she should have tested Tobin.
That could have proved costly as the final two chances of the half fell the way of the visitors. A minute into added time Henna Hussain was given a free run following a delightful through ball from Liberty Dieppe. The striker's low drive looked goal bound before Hyde went full length to turn it away. A great pass, great strike and great save, Wonderful football all round. A minute later Hussain went close again, cutting in from the left and unleashing a good effort that was once again well dealt with by Hyde.
HT Beaconsfield Town 1 Penn & Tylers Green 1. A really entertaining game of football so far. End to end with both sides playing some excellent stuff.
The game was swinging from one end to the other, a trend that continued throughout the first half. With only 8 minutes on the clock it was, once again, Beaconsfield's turn to go close when Erin Dennis fired a shot just over the bar. Then, in the next minute they had the ball in the back of the Penn net only to be pulled back by the assistant's flag, which had been rightly raised for offside. Town were putting together some very nice passages of play, the next of which culminated in Freya Harris driving a shot into the side netting.
Penn them went close themselves when Liberty Dieppe latched onto a ball inside the home penalty area. Her shot was brilliantly tipped onto the post by Elsbeth Hyde who earned a little good fortune when the ball rebounded straight back into her arms. However, the relief was short-lived. With fifteen on the clock, Penn went ahead. There were awarded a free-kick way out on the right touchline for a foul on Ludgate-Williams. The winger got up to take the kick herself, firing it in towards the near post, deceiving Hyde who could only help the ball on its way into the net. 0-1
The goal had come slightly against the overall run of play but the home side didn't let their heads drop and they were only behind for 11 minutes. Strangely their equaliser also came direct form a free-kick out near the touchline. This time from their left where Freya Harris delivered a beauty, curling in towards the far post, it beat Tobin before striking the woodwork and going in. 1-1.
The game continued in the same vein, with both sides knocking the ball around nicely and the play moving from one end to the other. With ten minutes remaining, Dieppe fired just wide after more good work from Ludgate-Williams, who had taken the ball across the face of the penalty area before slipping in Dieppe. Then, five minutes later, Erin Dennis split the Penn defence with a lovely ball inside the full-back for substitute Naomi Gerhardt to run onto and fire into the side netting. A few minutes later Town were close again. Lucy Casey, whose pace and willingness to chase down balls was a constant thorn in the Penn side, got in behind the defence and drove towards the box. Good defending forced her a little wider than she would have liked and, once again, the shot fizzed into the side netting when maybe she should have tested Tobin.
That could have proved costly as the final two chances of the half fell the way of the visitors. A minute into added time Henna Hussain was given a free run following a delightful through ball from Liberty Dieppe. The striker's low drive looked goal bound before Hyde went full length to turn it away. A great pass, great strike and great save, Wonderful football all round. A minute later Hussain went close again, cutting in from the left and unleashing a good effort that was once again well dealt with by Hyde.
HT Beaconsfield Town 1 Penn & Tylers Green 1. A really entertaining game of football so far. End to end with both sides playing some excellent stuff.
Henna Hussain (hidden) almost nods home a free-kick As with the first half Penn were back out and ready for the second period before their hosts. However, it was Beaconsfield who looked to strike first. A good break down the left inside the first two minutes ended with a dangerous looking ball across the box that evaded any attackers. A few minutes later, following a corner from the right, captain Hannah Hester got above everyone but saw her headed attempt land on the roof of the net. Penn had taken a little longer to get back into the game but, with 53 on the clock, came very close to edging back in front when left-back Holly Wyncoll popped up in the visitor's box and flashed a shot just wide of half-time substitute goalkeeper Lisa Phillips's right-hand post.
Just before the hour mark, with the game still switching from one end to the other, it was again Beaconsfield's turn, Erin Dennis with a glimpse of goal but shanking her shot wide of the mark. tehn a minute later Lucy Casey looked to be in on goal after a lovely through ball got her in behind the Penn central defenders. However, Holly Wyncoll had spotted the danger and got across to make a trememndous covering tackle to concede a corner.
The other side of the hour Penn were awarded a free-kick for a foul on Henna Hussain, justinside the Town half and out on the right. The striker picked herself up and when the ball was delivered into the mix, managed to get between defenders and goalkeeper to win a headed which drifted agonisingly wide of the post. That was followed by Town once again creating a chance with soem good work down the left. This time Elle Scott got a shot off but coudl only screww it wide of the post. Although not as frenetic as the first half, the game was still flowing from one end of the pitch to the other. A great advert for women's football.
Ellie Ludgate-Williams was next to spurn an opportunity. Sent through by another defenced splitting pass, she could only put her shot narrowly wide although, to be fair, she was put under pressure by some good covering defending as she got her shot off.
With under ten minutes to go Beaconsfield got their noses in front again, in somewhat controversial circumstances. Ellie Ludgate-Williams went down under a challenge inside the Beaconsfield half. It looked a nailed on foul but the referee waved play on much to the displeasure of the Penn players and bench. They were even more unhappy when the ball was fed in behind their defence for Lucy Casey to run on and slide the ball calmly past Tobin. 2-1.
Penn immediately set about getting themselves back on level terms. They were riled now and tackles were snapping in with that little extra bite than beforehand. However, with time running out, all looked lost for the visitors until we entered added time. Step forward the league's top scorer. Henna Hussain picked up the ball close the half way line and decided to go it alone. She's tried to take on the Beaconsfield defence many times during the game and, each time, even if she beat the first player, a second had stepped in to rob her. However, this time, she rode a couple of challenges before firing a low drive past the outstretched right-hand of Phillips, into the bottom corner. 2-2. A great run and great strike. Cue Penn celebrations. We were heading for penalties.
FT Beaconsfield Town 2 Penn & Tylers Green 2. A superb game of football. Both sides played entertaining, attacking football. As a neutral it was a shame that one of them had to lose. A draw would have been a fair and honourable result. However, this was cup football and a decider was required. Spot kicks followed.
Just before the hour mark, with the game still switching from one end to the other, it was again Beaconsfield's turn, Erin Dennis with a glimpse of goal but shanking her shot wide of the mark. tehn a minute later Lucy Casey looked to be in on goal after a lovely through ball got her in behind the Penn central defenders. However, Holly Wyncoll had spotted the danger and got across to make a trememndous covering tackle to concede a corner.
The other side of the hour Penn were awarded a free-kick for a foul on Henna Hussain, justinside the Town half and out on the right. The striker picked herself up and when the ball was delivered into the mix, managed to get between defenders and goalkeeper to win a headed which drifted agonisingly wide of the post. That was followed by Town once again creating a chance with soem good work down the left. This time Elle Scott got a shot off but coudl only screww it wide of the post. Although not as frenetic as the first half, the game was still flowing from one end of the pitch to the other. A great advert for women's football.
Ellie Ludgate-Williams was next to spurn an opportunity. Sent through by another defenced splitting pass, she could only put her shot narrowly wide although, to be fair, she was put under pressure by some good covering defending as she got her shot off.
With under ten minutes to go Beaconsfield got their noses in front again, in somewhat controversial circumstances. Ellie Ludgate-Williams went down under a challenge inside the Beaconsfield half. It looked a nailed on foul but the referee waved play on much to the displeasure of the Penn players and bench. They were even more unhappy when the ball was fed in behind their defence for Lucy Casey to run on and slide the ball calmly past Tobin. 2-1.
Penn immediately set about getting themselves back on level terms. They were riled now and tackles were snapping in with that little extra bite than beforehand. However, with time running out, all looked lost for the visitors until we entered added time. Step forward the league's top scorer. Henna Hussain picked up the ball close the half way line and decided to go it alone. She's tried to take on the Beaconsfield defence many times during the game and, each time, even if she beat the first player, a second had stepped in to rob her. However, this time, she rode a couple of challenges before firing a low drive past the outstretched right-hand of Phillips, into the bottom corner. 2-2. A great run and great strike. Cue Penn celebrations. We were heading for penalties.
FT Beaconsfield Town 2 Penn & Tylers Green 2. A superb game of football. Both sides played entertaining, attacking football. As a neutral it was a shame that one of them had to lose. A draw would have been a fair and honourable result. However, this was cup football and a decider was required. Spot kicks followed.
Penalties
Penn to take the first kick
Penn - Henna Hussain scores 0-1
Beaconsfield - Emma Hester scores 1-1
Penn - Rachel Harnby scores 1-2
Beaconsfield - Lucy Casey scores 2-2
Penn - Stephanie McDaid scores 2-3
Beaconsfield - Hannah Hester scores 3-3
Penn - Liberty Dieppe. Saved by Phillips. Still 3-3
Beaconsfield - Freya Harris scores 4-3
Penn - Ellie Ludgate-Williams scores 4-4
Beaconsfield - Mia Thomson to win it, and does. 5-4
Penn to take the first kick
Penn - Henna Hussain scores 0-1
Beaconsfield - Emma Hester scores 1-1
Penn - Rachel Harnby scores 1-2
Beaconsfield - Lucy Casey scores 2-2
Penn - Stephanie McDaid scores 2-3
Beaconsfield - Hannah Hester scores 3-3
Penn - Liberty Dieppe. Saved by Phillips. Still 3-3
Beaconsfield - Freya Harris scores 4-3
Penn - Ellie Ludgate-Williams scores 4-4
Beaconsfield - Mia Thomson to win it, and does. 5-4
Penalty shootout win
Beaconsfield will now face Eversley & California at Fox Lane in the semi-final. The other semi will be contested by Woking and Long Crendon.
Beaconsfield Town: 21.Hyde, 2.Harris, 3.Kaur, 4.H.Hester(c), 5.Lance, 6.Kingston-Wheeler, 7.Price, 8.Dennis, 9.Casey, 10.Thomson, 11.Harris. Subs: 12.E.Hester, 14.Scott, Phillips, 15.Martin, 16.Gerhardt
Penn & Tylers Green: 1.Tobin, 15.Matthews, 2.Mackay, 4.Harnby(c), 7.Wyncoll, 22.McDaid, 17.Flint, 20.Spokes, 16.Dieppe, 10.Hussain, 11.Ludgate-Williams. Subs: 18.Roberts, 21.Le Heuze
Ground Number: Re-Visit
Att:
Entrance: £5.00
Program
Beaconsfield Town: 21.Hyde, 2.Harris, 3.Kaur, 4.H.Hester(c), 5.Lance, 6.Kingston-Wheeler, 7.Price, 8.Dennis, 9.Casey, 10.Thomson, 11.Harris. Subs: 12.E.Hester, 14.Scott, Phillips, 15.Martin, 16.Gerhardt
Penn & Tylers Green: 1.Tobin, 15.Matthews, 2.Mackay, 4.Harnby(c), 7.Wyncoll, 22.McDaid, 17.Flint, 20.Spokes, 16.Dieppe, 10.Hussain, 11.Ludgate-Williams. Subs: 18.Roberts, 21.Le Heuze
Ground Number: Re-Visit
Att:
Entrance: £5.00
Program
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