Womens FA Cup 4th Round
West Ham United Ladies 4 Colchester United Ladies 2
Bill Robinson reports from Ship Lane…….
A fantastic and typical cup tie entertained the fans here today as West Ham cruised into the last sixteen of this years FA Cup trying to emulate the men and their success in their competition.
Colchester were out to try and seek revenge for a defeat by the Hammers a fortnight ago in the Essex County Cup and they were first to threaten in the opening exchanges.
That was until Nina Downham struck the first of her two goals, in the thirteenth minute, the move started with a West Ham throw deep in their own half the ball was played back to Jess Barling whose lethal left foot hit a pin point through ball into the path of Nina Downham who saw the Keeper off her line and from 18 yards chipped the ball over and into the net.
The Barling Downham combination was repeated again in the twenty seventh minute, a near identical build up and another clinical finish by Downham.
HT 2-0
At the start of the second half Colchester came at the Hammers looking to strike quickly to try and save their cup dreams and after just five minutes Emily Heaslip slotted home a goal that revived their hopes.
The Hammers responded well and on 52 minutes Emma Thomas restored their two goal advantage. Once again Jess Barling was instrumental in the build up her long through ball into the path off Becky Merritt who fought of the challenging defender took the ball to the goal line before crossing for Emma to blast home from close range.
But Colchester were not ready to surrender just yet and Helen Bass worked hard to once again reduced the deficit turning the game into a classic FA Cup encounter.
But when Kaleigh Xidhas headed in the Hammers fourth in the 62nd minute the win was secured, the move started wide on the right were Emma Thomas took on and beat her marker before sending over a perfect cross for Kayleigh to run onto and head home from close range.
More FA Cup action next week as West Ham travel to Enfield Town Ladies next Sunday 13th March in the 5th round kick off 2pm
West Ham Ladies :Toni-Anne Wayne, Joanne Woodgates, Danica Revell, Natalie Grafton, Jess Barling, Emma Thomas, Carly Roache, Joanne Wosahlo, Kayleigh Xidhas, Becky Merritt, Nina Downham
Subs:Tracey Duxbury, Ruby Southgate, Gemma Shepherd, Rosey Sullivan
