Round-up of the women’s football action – Sunday 8th March.
Adella Clarke heads in Bath City Women’s third goal against Feniton Women to seal their place in the MJM Sports League Cup semi-finals | Photo © Simon Howe
Bath City Women had to come from behind against struggling East Devon side Feniton before securing a place in the Shield Services Group South West Regional Women’s League’s MJM Sports League Cup semi-finals.
The Romans, who are mid-table in Division One North, went 1-0 down when they faced Division One South’s basement side at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park in their last-eight encounter on Sunday 8th March.
But City hit back to record a 3-1 victory and set up a last-four derby away to Bitton on Sunday 29th March. The winners of that tie will face either Cirencester Town Ladies or Weston-super-Mare Women in the final.
Feniton took a sixth-minute lead when Louise Hiscox headed in from a corner.
But Bath took a grip on proceedings and equalised in the 33rd minute, Maddy Brown’s corner being deflected into the Feniton net by an unfortunate visiting defender.
Maddy Brown lets fly from 25 yards to hand Bath City Women a 2-1 lead against Feniton Women at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park | Photo © Simon Howe
Unsurprisingly, the Romans led at the interval. And it was a cracking goal from Brown that gave them the advantage. She let fly from 25 yards to beat Feniton keeper Laura Niblett in the 40th minute.
The second period was disjointed but City struck again to make the game safe against a team who have won only once in seven league matches.
With eight minutes remaining, Niblett did well to push onto the bar a shot from Jasmine Rennie. Romans’ substitute Adella Clarke was on hand to head in the loose ball.
Bath starting XI: Lucy Clay, Eve Trivett, Bex Fry, Rosie Burridge, Tara Taylor, Sophie Storey, Emma Vilday, Erin Duffy, Beth Edwards, Maddy Brown, Jasmine Rennie.
City will be in knockout action again on Sunday 15th March, when they visit Paulton Rovers in the Somerset Women’s Junior Cup semi-finals (2pm).
If the Romans – the county-cup holders – are successful, they will take on Weston or Keynsham Town Ladies in the final.
A Bath versus Weston tussle would be a repeat of last year’s showpiece.
Bath City Women Development took the Somerset County Women’s League Division One points against Wellington Wildcats the easy way.
The teams were due to face off at Peasedown St John Recreation Ground on 8th March but the Wildcats conceded the match.
The Devs have no scheduled fixture on Sunday 15th March and are next due in action the following Sunday, at Nailsea United Women in the league.
Odd Down Women moved six points clear at the top of Somerset County Women’s League Division Two by crushing hosts Porlock 5-0 on 8th March.
Jessica Bailey (2), Falisha Shahbaz, Erin Watkins and substitute Erin Cahoon got the goals in West Somerset, the Down having led 2-0 at the break.
Emmie Hawkes was named the winners’ player of the match.
Odd Down starting XI: Alice Stott, Mika Lucas-Smith, Isabella Chee, Emmie Hawkes, Dani Macer, Kira Macer, Erin Watkins, Jessica Bailey, Elise Macer, Olivia Brain, Falisha Shahbaz.
The Down’s next game is not until Sunday 22nd March – and it will be a crunch clash, with second-placed Ashton Women coming to the Lew Hill Memorial Ground.
