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Whyteleafe Women Into League Cup Semi Final
Whyteleafe Women booked their place in the semi final of the League Cup on Sunday afternoon. The 2019/2020 season was the first time that Whyteleafe Women had took part in the League Cup in a group format. Going into Sunday Whyteleafe were outsiders to make it to the semi final with them having to win their game against Aylesford Ladies whilst down on the coast in Eastbourne, Eastbourne Women only needed a point against Saltdean Ladies to secure their place in the last four.
Whyteleafe Women knew of Eastbourne Ladies result when Saltdean Ladies scored a 95thminute winner and made it simple for Whyteleafe Women. If they won they would secure a place in the semi final alongside Dartford, QPR Women and Ashford Ladies.
Whyteleafe Women started the game very quickly and played some lovely football and dominated the early proceedings. Whyteleafe Women’s pressure paid in the 15thminute when Katie Butts broke free and after some fine footwork was fouled 25 yards from goal. Birthday girl and skipper Giorgia Dunne stepped up and hit an unstoppable free-kick which was described as one fan as ‘Ronaldo-esc’ into the bottom corner and put Whyteleafe 1-0 up. Whyteleafe found it difficult to get the second, but Aylesford refused to give up and kept going and were rewarded on the half an hour mark when a fine turn from the Aylesford striker drawing Morgan Parnell into a foul and a chance to equalise from the spot which they took, a very good penalty into the bottom right hand corner.
The game was in the balance at half time and Whyteleafe Women knew that if they got the winner, they would secure their place in the semi final of the League Cup. Whyteleafe Women came out a totally different animal in the second half looking after the ball, creating chances and being patient. The pressure took its toll once again in the 50th minute when a peach of corner from Jess Lewry was met on the forehead of defender Mercedes Bromfield. A fine header into the top right-hand corner, Whyteleafe continued to work hard to find the third goal to kill off the game and they found it with twenty minutes to go when a lovely pass from Olivia Woolacott found Jess Lewry who quick feet created herself half a yard of space and stroked it into the bottom right corner to secure Whyteleafe their place in the semi-final of the LSE League Cup and a 3-1 victory.
Manager Charlie Bickell said afterwards “My girls deserved that today, we have been working hard in training since we returned from the Christmas break and today their hard work has paid off. Arriving at the ground today we knew there was only a very small chance of getting into the semi finals of this competition but I have to praise the girl’s attitude, staying focused and professional and getting our job done.”
“We know the league may be a step too far for us but were going to do everything in our power to lift that cup in late April.”
Whyteleafe Women will now play QPR Ladies on the Sunday 9th February 2020 with a 2.00pm Kick Off. Please follow the Whyteleafe Women twitter account for up to date news at
