Dartford FC Women (1) – QPR FC Women (1) – The Hosts Progressed to the First Round Proper 4-1 on Penalties

FA Cup Third Qualifying Round

Team: Clarke, Doyle, Gotch, Searle, Hill, Wellesley-Davies, Ali, D’Santos, Dzyadyk, Adebowale-Arimoro, Leach

Subs Not Used: Sampson, Owen

On an overcast afternoon at the Princess Park Stadium, Rangers got off to a good start in this FA Cup tie.

Some excellent defending from Emily Hill, when the R’s captain, under pressure from two opponents, evaded their challenges before laying the ball off safely. 

The first real opportunity of the match arrived after 11 minutes following a foul from just outside the corner of the penalty area. Lilly Wellesley-Davies’ free kick was headed over the bar by Jess Leach.

Leen Ekwo gave the hosts the lead on 16 minutes, after slotting the ball into the corner.

At the other end four minutes or so later, Annie Dzyadyk fired her shot just wide of the target. 

Two minutes after that and with Jade Charlton grounded, the players took a drinks break. 

For the Darts, a deep ball into the box was headed just wide of the upright.

Rangers had the ball in the net after 35 minutes, when Libby Doyle’s cross was headed in by Jess Leach, but it was ruled out for offside.

Following two added minutes, the referee blew the half-time whistle.

Into the second-half, and Meila D’Santos’ attempted lob landed into the keeper’s gloves.

Annie Dzyadyk was booked shortly after, following a foul on the Darts No.21.

Danny Harrigan made three changes on 56 minutes, which saw the introduction of Grace Stanley, Melis Mehmet and Fern Orchard, at the expense of Jess Leach, Meila D’Santos and Annie Dzyadyk respectively.

Rangers got a deserved equaliser a few minutes later, when substitute Melis Mehmet’s shot entered the net from a ricochet. 

Georgie Lewin replaced Libby Doyle on 66 minutes.

Two minutes later, Fern Orchard was harshly shown a yellow card for challenging the keeper!

After Juliet Adebowale-Arimoro had won the ball, she knocked it upfield, where Grace Stanley went on to curl her shot just wide of the upright.

At the other end, Abbey Davies’ free kick was cleared off the line.

The final change was made after 86 minutes, when Jo Blodgett came on for Juliet Adebowale-Arimoro. 

Neither side could find that vital winner, so after three added minutes, the tie would have to be decided from a penalty shoot-out.

1. First-up was Gabby Howell who made no mistake for the home side.

2. Jade Charlton then saved Lilly Wellesley-Davies’ attempt.

3. Abbey Davies belted the next one to make it 0-2.

4. Grace Stanley’s spot-kick bounced off the upright.

5. Georgie Davis extended Dartford’s lead.

6. Jo Blodgett brought it back to 1-3.

7. But Mya Lewis-Powell then confirmed the home side’s progression into the FA Cup first round.

The following Sunday, Danny Harrigan’s side travelled to the Cledara Abbey Stadium to face Cambridge United. 

Steve Russell