Crusaders Ladies 2 Gornal Ladies 2 AET (Gornal Ladies win 4-3 on penalties)
Gornal kicked off their first appearance in SSE Womens FA Cup against Crusaders immediately showing their attacking intent against a side 2 levels above. The ball was worked out to the ball was played out to the left flank deep in Crusaders half to striker Rachel Letford who played it up the channel for Kirsty Dixon but Crusaders defence cut out the intended pass and played the ball into their No23 who split the Gornal defence but could not beat Goalkeeper Rachael Graham with the ball ricocheting back off the attacker for a goal kick.
Crusaders picked up the ball from the goal kick and immediately set their No 10 free but her shot went harmlessly across the goal and out.
Most of the first 30 minutes of play followed a similar course with Crusaders defending in depth not giving Gornal much space to get behind and hitting the ball through to their quick front two to try to outpace the Gornal defence.
On 30 minutes the Crusaders No10 picked the ball up just inside her own half, outpaced Gornals winger and full back before cutting into the box and drawing out Gornal centre back before playing the ball across to the Crusaders striker who had the simplest of chances to pass the ball into the net.
Straight from the kick off Gornal worked the ball to the left and Gornal full back Emily Green played into striker Rachel Letford who turned one defender and pushed the ball past the covering centre back only to be scythed down but the referee ignored Gornals appeals for a penalty.
In the next 10 minutes Gornal were on top and created numerous chances but failed to hit the target.
Just before half time Gornal was hit with a sucker punch when a straight ball from a free kick went unchallenged with four Crusaders attackers being allowed to run through and allowed a simple header over the head of the Gornal keeper Rachael Graham to give Crusaders a 2-0 lead at half time.
Crusaders started the second half but it was Gornal who were looking the more lively side with the front two of Kirsty Dixon and Rachel Letford using their pace to get behind Crusaders defence. In the 49th minute a kick from goalkeeper Graham was headed on by a Crusaders midfield player and Kirsty Dixon sprinted past the covering defenders to volley over the advancing keeper.
Buoyed by this goal Gornal began to place a sustained pressure on Crusaders defenders who became visibly more tired as the half wore on. Gornal substitutions of Dionne Mckee, Drew Harris and Katie Moore gave the away side fresh legs and increased the pressure on Crusaders but Gornal could not get the breakthrough goal until in the 87th minute Katie Moore swung a corner to the far post where keeper Rachael Graham and centre back Keisha Sasa both rose for the ball but it was Keisha Sasa who timed her jump better and powered a downward header into the corner of the Crusaders goal.
Extra time was in a similar style to the second half with Gornal providing more of the attacking play however Crusaders were awarded a penalty when the No 23 ran into Gornal centre back Keisha Sasa. Fortunately Gornal keeper Rachael Graham guessed correctly and saved down at her right hand post to keep Gornal in the game.
No further score and the tie went to penalties with Crusaders taking the first penalty. Crusaders scored their first two but missed the third. Gornal scored their first three Through Katie Moore, Tracey Haycock and Beth Arrowsmith. Crusaders then missed their fourth and the referee signalled Gornal had won before being corrected by both sides officials. This had an unsettling effect on young Drew Harris and she placed her spot kick over the bar. Crusaders scored their 5th and Gornal keeper Rachael Graham stepped up to take the final penalty. She made no mistake placing the kick into the corner to set off (once again) scenes of jubilation.
Gornal have now been drawn in a mouth watering local tie in the 3rd qualifying round as they take on Stourbridge Ladies on 9th October at Tividale FC.
