An injury hit and depleted Carshalton Athletic Ladies 1st team made the long trek across London, writes Paul Williams, to face Combine counties Enfield Town in the 3rd qualifying round of the Women's FA Cup on Sunday. The Robins took the field with only nine fit players, missing six regular starters and two players heavily strapped to make up the eleven. With both our subs also carrying injury's we knew at times this would have to be a back to the wall display if we were going to get anything out of the game. The Robins started the game on the front foot moving the ball and keeping possession. The first chance of the game fell to Ella Bale who dragged her shot from 18 yards just past the post. This seemed to spark Enfield into gear and they took the lead with their first meaningful attack on 14 minutes, a well taken goal from a tight angle. Town now had the wind in their sails and started to push the Robins Back as they looked to add a quick second. The Robins stood strong and on 25 minutes Laura Curtis was played in by twin sister Emily, She beat the full back drove towards the near post cutting the ball back for Ella Bale to slot home at the far post 1 - 1. The lead didn't last long as Town added a second 1 minute later. The ball rebounding around the penalty spot, dropped to an Enfield player who looked 3 or 4 yards off side before side footing it home from a few yards 2 - 1 half time.
At half time positional changes were made as we new we had to be more of an attacking threat in the second half. The 2nd half started with the Robins now looking the stronger team and it didn't take long before Bale added her second again finishing well at the far post. 2 - 2. This seemed to rock Town back on their heels and it was now Carshalton doing all the pressing and Town playing on the counter attack. On 62 minutes Laura Curtis got on the end of a through ball, as her pace took her level with the last defender she drove into the box and as she was about to pull the trigger, she was brought down for what looked like a stone wall penalty. To everyone's amazement the ref waved play on!!!!!!! The game was now evening out with Enfield having most of the possession but unable to break the Robins back line. On 71 minutes the Robins were in front for the 1st time in the game. A Janaya Spiteri free kick from 22 yards sailed into the top corner. 2 - 3. Town made a couple of changers and now started to turn the screw, the Robins started to tier and dropped deeper and deeper playing on the counter trying to defend their slim lead. Towns pressure paid off and on 78 minutes they drew level with what can only be described as a great team goal, five or six one or two touch passes cut through the Robins defence and was finished with top quality. 3 - 3. Town now pressed for the winner but were nearly caught out as Bale again connected with a cross from the left but her effort just slipped past the post with the home keeper stranded. The Robins were now dead on their feet and the injured Gall was replaced by the injured Davies on 85 minutes, with Bale and O'Halloran also struggling to run the Ladies held out for the final whistle. Extra time. The 1st period of extra time was played out mainly in midfield with no goal threats from either team. The Girls had nothing left in the tank and with three players barely being able to run our only hope was to hold out for pens or try and nick a goal from a set piece. The second period of extra time was all Town's and they should have won it in the 115 minute with the best chance of the game but fired over from 12 yards with only the Yardley to beat. 3 - 3 full time and now the dreaded pens.
Chanell Yardley the Robins number 1 was the hero scoring the 1st pen and then saving the first two Town penalties. The 1st diving full stretch to the left turning it on to the post. The second saving low down to her right. Town's keeper then pulled off a fine save to deny Jess Burke turning her effort on to the bar. Enfield's 3rd hit the bar and it was down to Janaya Spiteri to calmly slot home the winner and see the Robins through to the 1st round proper. I have never seen a team have to dig so deep to win a game of football.