26/11/23

Womens FA Cup - 2nd round

Plymouth Argyle 4

AFC Stoneham 2

Scorers: Lucas and Delaney

Firstly, we need to give some perspective.

Plymouth play three leagues above our girls and are only two promotions from the Women's Super League. They beat a team from our level 13-0 in the last round and our club has never been in round two of the FA Cup before.

Clearly the girls did not want to suffer an embarrassing result and therefore defended stoutly in a very organised fashion for most of the game although found themselves 4-0 down after 85 minutes which would have been a great result in honesty having been 2-0 down at half time.

Then what happened was very nearly unbelievable

Suddenly we took the game to Plymouth and Susani Lucas struck on 85 minutes before,after great work from Chloe Andrews, Mia Delaney struck on 88 minutes.4-2

Then Chloe Melton has a goal disallowed on 90 minutes for 4-3 when clearly onside. This did leave a feeling of "if only" however had we not set up as we did before the last 10 minutes or so we may possibly have been further behind.

The girls lost the game 4-2 but in truth there was only one team that "won" today. Our girls from AFC Stoneham.

To say they were a huge credit to our club both on and off the pitch would be a huge understatement. To those that were there and enjoyed the day, we were privileged.

Our club are bursting with pride tonight and very proud of every girl that pulled on a purple shirt today.

Thank you to everyone of you

#upthepurps

25/11/23

Womens FA Cup - 2nd round

Plymouth Argyle v AFC Stoneham

Our Ladies first team make history on Sunday by competing in the 2nd round of the FA Cup for the first time in 105 years

The team has already won through three rounds which is a fantastic achievement.

Tomorrows task is a huge one against a club that play three levels above ourselves and are only two promotions off the Womens Super League. They progressed to this round by winning 13-0 in the last round.

To put this in perspective if anyone had said this game was possible some five years ago when our ladies were in the Hampshire Womens County League Division 3 they would have been laughed at. Tomorrow it's reality.

The magic of the FA Cup!

Everyone at AFC Stoneham is super proud of the girls and whatever happens they will enjoy a wonderful day and a fantastic experience.

Everything to gain and nothing to lose.

Good luck girls!!