Women’s FA Cup fifth round roundup: Manchester City win derby, Ipswich make history

Business

The Women’s FA Cup fifth round took place across the weekend, with 16 teams whittled down to eight.

Manchester City turned on the style in the second half to get the better of rivals Manchester United, while Ipswich Town reached the quarter finals for the first time in their history after a dramatic win over Southampton.

There were also big wins for Chelsea and Arsenal during a busy two days of action.

Man City came from a goal down at half time to run out 4-1 winners in the Manchester derby.

Katie Zelem had given United a first half lead, scoring straight from a corner, before Gareth Taylor introduced Caroline Weir and Hayley Raso at the break to great effect. Two quick goals from Lauren Hemp and Ellen White turned the tie on its head, before Weir popped up with her customary derby day goal.

Substitute Khadija Shaw wrapped up the win with a poacher’s finish moments after entering the fray from the bench.

Ipswich became the lowest-ranked side left in the FA Cup – and the first third-tier side to reach the quarter finals since Charlton Athletic in 2017/18 – after a penalty shootout victory over fellow third-tier team Southampton.

Playing in front of a record crowd at the Goldstar Ground, substitute Anna Grey broke the deadlock in the second half of extra time with a fabulous volley.

However, Southampton levelled in dramatic circumstances at the death, goalkeeper Kayla Rendell heading home from a corner to send the contest to spot kicks.

But it was the turn of Ipswich goalkeeper Sarah Quantrill to be the hero during the shootout, saving two penalties as the Tractor Girls booked their place in the quarter finals for the first time in their history.

Arsenal ran out 4-0 winners over Championship leaders Liverpool courtesy of a pair of stunning solo efforts from Katie McCabe and Caitlin Foord.

The tier-two side went toe to toe with the WSL table toppers for much of the clash, but were made to pay for their lack of cutting edge by two fabulous goals in the space of three minutes.

Foord netted the opening goal from close range, before McCabe unleashed a thunderous volley and Foord found the top corner with a half volley. Kim Little added a fourth in the second half with a run from deep and tidy finish.

Coventry avoided upset against third-tier West Brom as the Championship side came out on top in a six goal thriller.

Alanah Mann’s first ever senior goal, and a stunning long-range drive from Nat Johnson gave Coventry a 2-0 lead, before Shannon Stamps halved the deficit. The visitors‘ two goal advantage was regained on the stroke of half time by Katie Wilkinson’s finish from a corner.

Natalie Haigh saw red for Coventry in the final 13 minutes, and Leigh Dugmore dispatched the resultant spot kick to ensure a nervy finish to the game. Nerves were calmed three minutes from time as Olivia Ferguson turned home a teasing low cross.

The WSL’s bottom side edged past Championship outfit Durham to secure their progression to the last eight.

Birmingham – who won the competition back in 2012 – had to wait until the 78th minute for the breakthrough, captain Louise Quinn heading home Veatriki Sarri’s corner to seal the victory.

Durham piled on the pressure in the dying stages, but failed to break Birmingham’s resolute defence down.

FA Cup holders Chelsea booked their place in the FA Cup quarter finals in emphatic style, hitting Leicester for seven at Kingsmeadow on Saturday.

Pernille Harder and Sam Kerr both netted braces and contributed five assists between them. Ji So-yun, Aniek Nouwen and Bethany England were all on the scoresheet, with Nouwen’s goal her first in a Chelsea shirt.

Beaten 2019/20 finalists Everton booked their place in the last eight with a 2-0 win over Championship outfit Charlton. The result represents a first victory for interim bosses Chris Roberts and Claire Ditchburn.

Everton took the lead just after the half hour mark in sensational style, Kenza Dali grabbing her first goal for the club with a fabulous curling effort from the left flank.

Anna Anvegard doubled her side’s lead from close range at the second time of asking, her initial header from Toni Duggan’s teasing cross drawing a terrific save from Eartha Cumings before the Swedish international gobbled up the rebound.

West Ham ensured their safe passage through to the FA Cup late eight with an extra time victory over fellow WSL side Reading.

After the 90 minutes had finished goalless, Dagny Brynjarsdottir continued her fine season for the Hammers, collecting the rebound from a blocked shot and firing into the roof of the net to break the deadlock.