17/3/19, Boldmere, Women’s FA Cup Quarter Final, 2pm
Goals – Ross
The third Women’s FA Quarter Final I’ve got to see Aston Villa Ladies play in, which is remarkable when you think about it for a team that doesn’t play in the highest level of the game and the one year we didn’t make it to the Quarter Final we lost to Sunderland in a game we really should of won. The other two Quarter Finals were away days so it was nice to get the home draw for this one but this wasn’t just great for the fans and the team, but also for Dave and his team at Boldmere who have made us very welcome and deserved the home tie as well. After the Tottenham game it was great to see so many people turn up in 609 on the attendance, which was our second biggest attendance at “Home” after the Manchester United game. It always nice to make the Quarter Finals but it would be a great test to see how far we’ve come by hosting West Ham United who in their starting line up and bench had so many International players with the likes of Adriana Leon, Alisha Lehmann, So-Hyun and so on.. To get to this point we had beaten Stoke & Sheffield United along the way. It was going to be one of those days weather wise as one moment it was blazing sun and looking like summer and the next the heaven’s opened and it absolutely came down. I went to see West Ham on the Wednesday and had messed around saying I had a scout report picking team and tactics and I have to say that it was pretty much exactly what had been picked by Gemma Davies as well, which made me smile a bit as I like to pretend I know what i’m talking about with my football manager knowledge that year I got Walsall into the Champions League. I do have to say it was surreal to see Adriana Leon playing against my team in Birmingham, there is a big long story behind it from 2 and a half years ago that some people already know why this was so surreal.
It was Villa who nearly drew first blood with Jodie Hutton using her pace up the wing to nick around the West Ham defence after a great ball by Jade Richards that she could run onto, but as she rounded the defender the angle became tight and as she hit the shot it unfortunately hit the outside of the post, but what a start that would of been. The game was very even as both defences were working hard with most of the play being in the middle of the park, a great move between Alice Hassall and Sophie Haywood saw us get down the wing, the hold up play by Alice Hassall in this move was fantastic as she held the ball and waited to play the pass moving into a position where she could offload it back to Sophie Haywood. In the meele of this attack the defender went into Sophie Haywood in what looked like she didn’t get much of the ball but if she did then it shouldn’t of been a goal kick, we was down the other end and as Villa fans are always going to shout for a penalty. watching it back I still can’t be sure but we can count ourselfs unlucky that it didn’t go our way in the game but the signs were positive as we was pushing them back and making them panic, If anything we were the team making the most of the first 20 minutes in the game proving we wouldn’t be a pushover. West Ham’s So-Hyun worked her way into a position to get the ball into the middle where it fell to Alisha Lehmann but thankfully for us she couldn’t get her header on target as the game remained 0-0. A coupe of minutes later West Ham broke and an incredible touch and turn by Leanne Kiernan saw her shot at Sian Rogers which was a great save but she couldn’t hold the ball as it broke to Jane Ross which seemed like slow motion as no one really reacted, which left Jane Ross to prod the ball into the back of the net on the 26th minute giving West Ham the 0-1 lead. Villa nearly managed to get the perfect reply as Jodie Hutton ran down the wing and whipped the ball across the box and a sliding Sophie Haywood couldn’t quite get the tip of her boot on it as it could of been the equaliser. On the 34th minute the ball went out for a corner and up stepped our super set piece specialist and as she lofted the ball in it went over the keeper and hit the top of the crossbar which was so unlucky because again inches from an equaliser and what a goal it would of been, Amy West doesn’t score normal goals as the bend it like westie chants started up again. Some great pressure and play by Villa up and down the wing saw Nadine Hanssen showing her effort and determination for the ball as West Ham defended desperately against her and just as she managed to get past the defender she couldn’t quite get the connection as the shot came to nothing but she had done so well in the build up and to even get us into that position it just seemed to drop at an awkward angle for her to strike. The game was flowing end to end with the wingers on both teams having great runs and crosses to nothing but as Leanne Kiernan used her express pace to get in behind and it looked just as it was about to be 0-2 with Leon standing open for the cut back she decided to shoot from a ridiculous angle blazing the ball wide that if had been on target Sian Rogers would of saved anyways just before the half time break. The half time whistle went and in a first half where we matched and pushed West Ham it was a shame we went in 0-1 down, hitting the post, the crossbar and having so many nearly chances hopefully we could keep that up in the second half and our luck would change in the last 45 minutes.
West Ham made two substitues at half time with Brianna Visalli and Lucienne Reichardt replacing Kate Longhurst and Adriana Leon. As the first half was the first 15 minutes was a battle on and off the ball as the two teams jockeyed for position on the pitch. The first chance of the half fell to Alice Hassall as she hit a shot from the edge of the box but it was to central as Anna Moorhouse in the West Ham goal saved down low. In the build up to this some great play by Tanisha Smith down the wing saw the ball fall to Sophie Haywood who cut across the box before the ball fell to Alice Hassall’s feet. West Ham had a spell of play on the 66th minute that saw the ball go across the box with no one luckily to put the finishing touch on but as the ball finally broke Alisha Lehmann received the ball on the edge of the box and took aim and curled it and as it looked destined for the net with a incredible effort it hit the post and bounced out to safety keeping Villa in the tie still at only 0-1. West Ham had a long range effort that only seemed to rise on the 68th minute which was given as a corner when it only looked like a bad shot (alot of calls during the game could be questionable really for both teams as well). After keeping Alisha Lehmann quiet in the first half she was starting to come to life as she put an incredible ball into the box and as it fell to Leanne Kiernan her volley somehow couldn’t find the target but we had to be on our toes as we pressed forward not to conceded as we pushed for the equaliser, after a few minutes were West Ham could of added a few goals. Some good attacking play saw us get into a good position where Sophie Haywood was brought down and as the referee played advantage and Amy West’s shot just went over the bar at a time where it a shame the referee just didn’t blow for the free kick with the position it was in. Villa started to put some pressure on the West Ham defence but couldn’t find a way through which the attack finished with a wide shot from Ashlee Brown, but we were pinning West Ham back looking for the equaliser to get back into the tie. But as the pressure came on a great move came to an end once again as the ball was played to far away from the out stretching Amy West, but we was still in the right end of the pitch working hard to try and get back into the game. On the 77th minute the ball was lifted into the box from Elisha N’dow that Nadine Hanssen beat the on rushing keeper to beat getting the nod on, taking the hit for the team but unfortunately the ball skipped on off the surface wide without one of our players being able to get a foot or anything on the ball. Time was starting to run out but Villa Ladies was still on the front foot trying to push for a way back into the tie. But unfortantly it was alot of blowing but couldn’t quite blow the house down as we pushed and pushed until the final whistle as we came out losing the game 0-1.
Our FA Cup journey had come to an end in a game we narrowly lost 0-1 and on another day the chances we had could of dropped in and it could of been a completley different story but every single one of our players and staff should hold their heads high because we went against a full time team in West Ham who have some incredible players. It was a joy to see our Ladies going up against players that seen play in European Championships, World Cups and against the Elite in the world and we didn’t for a second look like we was out of our depth. Mentality and Quality go hand in hand because when I think back to going away to Charlton and seeing what looked like a bunch of players who didn’t really know what they was doing and did wonder in what direction we was going to the stage we are at now. We haven’t changed players it’s the same group who played against Manchester United even the same team that went to Sheffield United and lost 4-1 at Bramall Lane. But the work the staff and players have put in can be seen week after week and can never ever fail the effort and passion the Ladies give on the pitch. It’s not a one player team it’s a squad that come together to push each other and want to do better and better. Gemma Davies, our manager gave an interview after the game that showed exactly what she is about.. true emotion, a true human being and truly wanting to create something brilliant with the Villa and right now I can proudly say this is something we see forming every week. We sing we love you in the claret and blue but it not just a song it the truth. We have the league to concentrate on with some big games coming up in Manchester United away and Tottenham at home as well as the other games and I truly believe if we play well we have no one to fear as we go forward and work towards the end of our season.
We Love You Villa We Do, This Is OUR Team.
Sian Rogers – As always our dependable keeper pushing us forward in the last few minutes, always quality when standing over the ball, after last round when she took the last free kick anything could of happened.
Ashlee Brown – Once again Ashlee was a massive plus point during the game as she managed to keep the International attacking players such a Adriana Leon and Alisha Lehmann quiet.
Elisha N’Dow – You almost expect Elisha to have a great game now even before the whistle blows, so solid at the back reads the game so well and never ever gives up on anything. Every single game you have to have her in POTM discussion.
Jade Richards – Our glorious captain leading from the front but from the back, always can depend on Jade to clean up anything that comes into the Villa final third. Always dangerous at the back and up front.
Asmita Ale – During the first half marked out West Ham’s biggest threat on the wing causing them to switch the side she played on which was mostly down to the performance of Asmita that she carried on throughout the game.
Sophie Haywood – Always get drive and determination from Sophie, caused the West Ham defence trouble throughout and pushed them back towards their own goal on numerous occasions.
Alice Hassall – Like Elisha sometimes you expect it now as so consistent with great performances in the middle of the park but again showed her class against a player like Kate Longhurst.
Amy West – Always works so hard from whistle to whistle, her set pieces so key as we tried to get the goal against West Ham but just didn’t come off as we came close, never ever gives up on anything.
Nadine Hanssen – Once again Nadine showed her class through the game and hustled and bustled in the centre of the pitch, was unlucky not to score when she beat the keeper to the ball in the air and took one for the team, also created our best chance during the game as well.
Jodie Hutton – Was unlucky not to score when her effort hit the post, West Ham must of picked her out as a danger point before the game as tried to keep her quiet, but Jodie wont settle for anything less than taking on defenders and beating them as she did again.
Tanisha Smith – Put so much pressure on the West Ham defenders and goalkeeper not letting them settle and play out from the back, held the ball up so well. T took her chance and showed exactly what we know she can do and caused international defenders trouble.
Aoife Hurley – Always have to say how good it is to see Aoife back, because she adds something to our team something I believe no other team has in the middle. It is almost like having an extra player because of her determination and reading of the game.
Tash Baptiste – Its a shame we didn’t get to see T&T or TNT up front as one replaced the other. But Tash came on lateish to try and push us towards goal and definatly gave the West Ham defence something to worry about in the final minutes as we chased the equaliser.
