West Ham here we come! FA Cup dream lives on
Chichester and Selsey Ladies won 2-1 at Leyton Orient to set up an FA Women’s Cup visit to Super League outfit West Ham next weekend.
After four months off, Sadie Blakely’s team were back in action a week ago with a cup victory over Kent Association United.
The visit to Leyton Orient was always going to be tough but with the game played at the club’s main ground – where the men play in League Two – it was a great opportunity for both sides to experience a professional atmosphere, albeit with no fans.
Orient were straight on the front foot, delivering balls into the box that centre-back Sophie Phelps dealt with well.
Chi and Selsey seemed nervous to start with but when a free-kick by captain Megan Fox was spilled by the Orient keeper, Phelps buried it to make it 1-0 on 12 minutes.
Orient were playing well and were quickly back on level terms after a scramble in the box.
A great strike from Fox went just wide before Chi’s Nicky Lake was booked.
Phelps picked up a knock and was replaced by Ariana Fleischman.
Tash Wild and Jane Yeates caused problems for the home defence before a lovely ball from Yeates set up Gemma Simmonds to hit the post, but Wild was there to tap home for a 2-1 Chi lead.
At the start of the second half Orient were awarded a penalty, to the dismay of Chi defender Amber Howden, who felt she got the ball.
But the kick was sent over the bar and Chi and Selsey still led.
Foster made a cracking save to preserve the lead and Chi held on to book a trip to West Ham in the fourth round this Sunday (April 18).
And there’s a big prize for the winners – who will face Man City Women or Aston Villa Women in round five.