Chairgirls bow out of the FA Cup after defeat in penalty shootout.
After a solid run in form over the past few weeks, the Chairgirls suffered defeat in the FA Cup following a deciding penalty shootout. Despite gaining the lead in the first half with goals from Eman Kassem and Jess Watkins, and a second half goal from Ashleigh Harte, visitors, Comets, edged their way back into the game late and took home the win.
A tough opening 10 minutes for the Blues saw the visitor take the lead early in the first half, as they regained possession of the ball in a dangerous area and slotted home in the seventh minute.
Despite finding themselves behind early, the Chairgirls continued to battle to get back onto level terms, with their equaliser coming into fruition only 7 minutes after the visitors took the lead. Having found herself on the end of a lovely through-ball from Molly Carter, it was Jess Watkins who delivered a cross in from the byline to find the head of Eman Kassem, situated on the far post. Despite her initial header being deflected off the goal-line by the Comets keeper, Kassem headed it home on her second attempt to draw Wycombe level.
After working back from the early deficit, it was the Chairgirls who took the lead going into the break, with Watkins hitting the target late into the opening half. Assisted by Kassem, Watkins was able to carry the ball into the box, clear of the Comets defence, and slot home with a tidy finish in the 45th minute, allowing for the Blues to go into half time 2-1 up.
Looking to continue to grow the gap in the scoreline from the visitors in the second half, it was Ashleigh Harte who made it three for the Chairgirls. Situated on the right edge of the box and having received the ball from Kassem, Harte was able to thump the ball in with an incredible strike which rolled over the fingertips of the Comets keeper and made it 3-1 to Wycombe in the 75th minute.
A quick retaliation from the visitors, however, saw them claim one back in the 78th minute to edge in on the gap created by the Chairgirls. They then closed their deficit completely with a late 92nd minute volleyed equaliser, prompting the game to head to penalties.
The visitors were the first to step up to the spot, with their first penalty going wide. The Chairgirls followed with Kassem’s kick being denied by the woodwork. Comets scored their second, whilst Kayla Potter’s hit was blocked down the middle. Both sides scored their third, with Giulia Livi netting for Wycombe. The visitors sealed their win with their third penalty being scored on their fourth attempt, as Mia Parkin’s shot was stopped by the keeper.
Having bowed out of the competition following the defeat, the Chairgirls now set their sights onto County Cup action, where they head away to Newport Pagnell next weekend.
