City Women make history by booking cup final spot
CITY Women have reached the FA Cup final for the first time in their history after Melissa Lawley fired them to a deserved 1-0 win over Liverpool.
The Blues had tasted defeat in the semi-final stage in the last two years, but they can finally lay those ghosts to rest after reaching the Wembley showpiece.
Boss Nick Cushing warned his side to put their emotions to one side before the game and City never lost their focus - with 3,429 fans behind them at the CFA.
Lawley, who joined the Blues from Birmingham in December, was a constant threat down the left flank and did not give defender Ash Hodson a moment’s peace.
The 22-year-old got her deserved reward before the hour mark when she hit a sweet strike past goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain from the edge of the area.
Lawley, who earned her first England call-up last month, was immediately mobbed by her team-mates.
Rather than sitting on that lead, Cushing urged his side forward and even threw on forwards Nikita Parris and Toni Duggan in an effort to put the result beyond doubt.
Two-time World Player of the Year Carli Lloyd headed over and also fired a shot wide late on.
The Blues will face Birmingham City in the final on Saturday, May 13.
City now turn their attention to their Champions League semi-final tie against reigning champions Lyon, with the first leg to be held on Saturday at the CFA.