Aston Villa 4-0 Middlesborough

4/2/18, The Lamb, FA Cup Round 4

Goals : Salmon (2) Ejupi (2)

The dream of the FA Cup starts here once again at Tamworth FC as Aston Villa welcome Middlesborough Ladies. After the game kicked off just like against Oxford we got off to a quick start through Ebony Salmon after she showed her incredible pace and power once again to beat the defence on the way to slotting the ball past the Middlesborough keeper. The dream start of getting an early lead but could we keep up the early pressure throughout. Once again Chloe Jones set the tone as she let Middlesborough know she was there. The early pressure was built throughout great play once again between Elizabeta Ejupi and Ebony Salmon. Middlesborough tried to come back with a few attacks after early Villa pressure but just couldn’t make anything stick in front of goal. But that was quickly tharwted as a set peice lofted into the box by Beth Merrick was connected with by Jade Richards when as the ball dropped Ejupi hit a beautiful shot into the top of the Middlesborough goal making it 2-0 to the team in Claret and Blue. Less than 10 minutes later Ebony Salmon once again slotted the ball home past the keeper leaving the defence no chance what so ever after some great play by Jodie Hutton to find her running through. The half time whistle came while being 3-0 up Villa were totally dominating the game as well but at 3-0 you always know next goal can be crucial as it can end a game or give your opponents a chance. A very good first half showing by Aston Villa though.

As the second half kicked off we quickly got on the front foot once again as Ebony Salmon ran the wing and beat the defenders picking out a beautiful weighted pass to Elizabeta Ejupi who placed the ball into the net making it 4-0 and game over as a tie. Over and over in the second half Salmon pushed the defence back and on the back foot. The preformance at 4-0 never really dropped as Amy West came on and ran the midfield with some incredible play picking out Hayley Crackle on the wing who didn’t fail to get forward and put a telling cross in that nearly went into the goal as well. I don’t know how the game ended with Salmon or Ejupi getting a hatrick but both were incredible and deserved that elusive goal. Middlesborough had a chance that Jade Richards (she can do anything) became part defender part goalkeeper as she made a clean sheet saving block. The game was mostly ran by Aston Villa and the performance near the end was nearly as good as the start. Tash Baptiste came on and was unlucky not to get on the scoreline, Amy West could of scored and Aiofe Hurley nearly got one as well. Even though the game finished 4-0 it could of been a bigger scoreline on the day. But fair play to Middlesborough who came to play and good luck for the rest of their season in the WPL.

The formation and team selection today was top notch as for me it be hard to name a better two up front in WSL 2 than Ejupi and Salmon right now. Everybody put a real shift in to turn the sour taste of Oxford around, Chloe Jones promised us the team would and they surely delivered today. We look forward to another FA Cup run and see who we get in the draw tomorrow. The next we have is against Milwall who are unbeaten at the moment this year so hopefully we can break the streak and come away with the win at home. The way we played today I can’t see how we don’t have a good chance. Very proud of our girls in Claret and Blue and love being down to support them.

Sian Rogers – Kept her clean sheet that she deserved was there when danger loomed.

Hayley Crackle – Crickle, Crackle she does it all ran the wings so well and put in quality balls into the box.

Elisha N’Dow – Was great today anything that came her way she dealt with and worked the wings well.

Jade Richards – Super Jade Richards never fails to deliver. Made a Super block as well late on as well as many things.

Aiofe Hurley – Worked so hard in the middle of the pitch. Gave it all for the team unlucky not to score.

Alice Hassall – Push Middlesborough backwards at all chances and won the ball back on the regular.

Beth Merrick – Worked the middle of pitch and was unlucky not to get one of her shots away cleanly to add to score.

Chloe Jones – As always set the tone by throwing herself into every tackle that came her way.

Jodie Hutton – Helped us spread the play and get forward down the wing, while getting the ball back as well.

Elizabeta Ejupi – Incredible on the day, unplayable at times did so much off the ball not just her goals made the game.

Ebony Salmon – Deadly in front of goal, added another two goals and worked so well with Ejupi getting Villa forward.

Amy West – Was amazing when came on, such calm and precision when picking the ball up in the middle to get Villa forward.

Tash Baptiste – Was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet but ran well on and off the ball near the end of the game.

Sian Johnson – Came on late but did great to help Villa keep the momentum up and going the right way.

Elizabeta Ejupi

Incredible from the first whistle until the end. The only thing that Elizabeta didn’t do on the day was get her hatrick but was so unlucky not to get there on a few occasions. Her touches and play so calm and in control on and off the ball. Worked like a trooper off the ball to win the ball back for the team even with a lost cause. Her first goal was a screamer as she connected beautifully. Her partnership with Ebony Salmon is something to behold. The two of them work so well together with each other. Always has a smile on her face while playing football as well.