Halifax FC Women progressed into the next round of the FA Women’s National League Cup after beating Sporting Khalsa 4-2 in what was an impressive performance by the Eagles.
By Jack Snaith
Halifax FC Women secured their spot in the next round of the FAWNL cup after two late goals from substitutes Ellie White and Lucy Sowerby sealed the win.
The game was lively from the start, with the Eagles playing some very neat and progressive passes to cut through the Khalsa defence. In the first 20 minutes or so, Halifax appeared on top, putting pressure on the Khalsa defenders. However, it was Khalsa who struck first from a free kick after 26 minutes which found the head of a Khalsa player, and sailed out of Becky Flaherty’s reach.
Halifax replied less than 5 minutes later with a stunning effort from Maddie Oliver, whose left-footed shot took a slight deflection on the way into the top left corner.
1-1 at half time.
Maddie Oliver pushing for the equaliser; photography by Rachel Clayton.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, with Halifax mostly on top and with the most chances, but a stubborn Khalsa defence working hard to keep their team in the game.
First Team Manager Rob Mitchell rang the changes as the score remained at 1-1, looking to his bench to refresh the side for the closing stages of the game. This paid off almost immediately as Halifax struck next through Ellie White, who came on as a substitute in the 60th minute, then scored in the 61st with what appeared to be her first touch of the game.
However, not even two minutes later, Khalsa were back on level terms with a brilliant cross delivered from a tight angle and headed in at the back post, to make it 2-2 after 63 minutes.
Halifax searched for the goal to put them ahead once again with White dribbling into the Khalsa box, but the defenders tracked back well to clear the threat.
Just as the game looked to be heading for extra time, White struck again in the 88th minute, with a beautifully curled left-footed finish into the bottom right corner to re-establish the Eagles lead.
Halifax then sealed the win through Lucy Sowerby, who lobbed the keeper from a distance to make it 4-2 after 90 minutes.
The substitutes, White and Sowerby, made a huge impact on the game, Sowerby with the goal to seal it and White with 2 goals and an assist despite being on the pitch for only 30 minutes. A very impressive performance from both of them.
Ellie White with a curling effort; photography by Rachel Clayton
Lucy Sowerby seals the win; photography by Rachel Clayton
Rob Mitchell gave his thoughts at full time:
“I felt the first half performance was good. I just want to give credit to Sporting Khalsa as well, I felt they were outstanding today.”
The win sees Halifax in the hat for the next round of the FAWNL cup.
Next up: Halifax FC Women play Liverpool Feds at home as league action returns to West Yorkshire. The game starts at 2pm on September 17th atThe Leading Edge Clayborn Stadium, Quaker Lane, Liversedge, WF15 8DF.
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