The first and second qualifying rounds of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup have taken place this weekend with the increase in prize money a huge benefit to many clubs who still have their players on pay to play. Gloucestershire saw plenty of involvement with the University of Gloucestershire seeing players involved in the Second Qualifying Round.
There was an “El Glosico” of sorts as Gloucester City hosted Bishops Cleeve in the First Qualifying Round, a game which Cleeve manager Chris Gough touted as a David versus Goliath matchup despite the two clubs inhabiting the same league. Furthermore it was David who would triumph once again courtesy of a penalty shootout win with this years competition not holding replays.
Former Cheltenham Town Ladies Youth Player Sophie Taylor captain the mitres having won the GFA U18 League and League Cup as well as the Gloucestershire County League Division during her time with the robins. It was also Cleeve’s debut in the competition with the win over the local rivals netting them £1800 in prize money.
Longwell Green had a game to forget as they crashed out after a 10-0 loss at Pen Mill while Pucklechurch beat St Vallier on penalties, Frampton against Oldland Abbotonians also went to a shootout with Frampton coming out on top.
Frampton and Oldland met in the Second Qualifying Round but the game was abandoned, Cleeve fell to a 3-0 defeat at AEK Boco and Pucklechurch earned a 5-1 win at Pen Mill. Forest Green Rovers beat Weston Super Mare 8-0 in front of 382 at the New Lawn and Chippenham had a walkover against Downend Flyers. Here a plethora of former Cheltenham players were involved with Sally Butterfield, Louise Fensome and Ellie Briscoe featured with Julia Buczel netting a debut goal.
There was also University of Gloucestershire representation over the weekend as Women’s Football striker Ellie Windo’s Tuffley lost 2-0 to Paulton, while last season’s captain Keira Feighery fell short to a 4-2 defeat against Stockwood for SGS Olveston. Interestingly Feighery was also part of the Cheltenham Town Ladies U18 squad that won the U18 League and League Cup double.
Moving across the county border, former Cheltenham Town ladies players Cerys Dolloway and Holly Rogers were on the winning side in their tie as Worcester City earned an empathic win over City of Stoke at Claines Lane. Worcester also had Elle-May Simpson, Sophie Griffiths and Jen Lepore on their books who played together for the Robinesses’ Development Team, coached by Shaun the Sheep Director and Chicken Run animator Andy Symanowski.
The results:
First Qualifying Round:
Gloucester City 2-2 Bishops Cleeve (2-4)
Pen Mill 10-0 Longwell Green
St Vallier 1-1 Pucklechurch (3-4)
Frampton 2-2 Oldland Abbotonians (6-5)
Second Qualifying Angle:
Chipping Sodbury A-A Frampton
AEK Boco 3-0 Bishops Cleeve
Tuffley Rovers 0-2 Paulton Rovers
Pen Mill 1-5 Pucklechurch
SGS Olveston 2-4 Stockwood
Forest Green Rovers 8-0 Weston-Super-Mare
Chippenham W-O Downend Flyers
Worcester City 8-1 City of Stoke
