Fleet Town Women Secure North Hants Divisional Cup Victory
On Thursday 11 April, Fleet Town FC Women travelled to Whitchurch FC to play the North Hants Divisional FA Cup Final. We were up against Andover New Street FC Ladies – a formidable team from a different league, who had beaten a Southern Region Premier League team to get to the final. The stakes were high and we knew an exciting and challenging game was ahead.
After a couple of dangerous attempts on goal, Fleet Town were looking strong, and secured an early lead via a corner taken by Emily White which was picked up and smashed home by Dot Usher in the 8th minute.
Andover soon rallied but were thwarted by a fantastic save by Ellie James, stopping a header with a dive and pushing the ball over the bar to safety. Unfortunately, Andover were able to convert the resulting corner to a goal that just crossed the line before it could be cleared away, putting the score at 1-1.
The score remained even for most of the match, while both sides battled and had chances, until Dot Usher came through again with an amazing run, taking the ball around the opposition defence before curling it into the corner of the net, the keeper unable to get on it.
A couple more great saves from Ellie James kept Andover at bay and ultimately secured Fleet Town the win, and the chance to lift the NHDFC Cup.
All the ladies did a fantastic job, displaying great teamwork and determination. Thursday’s team were: Keira Barker, Claire Benton, Abbie Burrows, Kourtney Fitzgerald, Beth Graves, Molly Greenaway, Emma Hamer, Ellie James, Claudia Lake, Amy Parry, Jessica Simpson, Dot Usher and Emily White. Congratulations to all and to the other squad members who helped the team get to the Final.
Thanks also go to the coaching team, Manager Kevin Jordan, Assistant Manager John Wooderson, Clare Webb – Strength & Conditioning Coach, and Coach Mark McGowan.
With the 2023/2024 season drawing to a close, we have a few more matches to play and the next two are at home at the Mustard Seed Stadium.
If you are a player and are looking for a new team for the 2024/2025 season, get in touch to find out more about playing for Fleet Town Women. Email womensmanager@fleettownfc.co.uk. We’d love to hear from you!