Sunday February 14, 2010
Marine FC, FA Women's Cup
Everton 2-1 Rovers Ladies
Rovers Ladies narrowly missed out on a place in the semi-finals of the FA Women's Cup following a 2-1 defeat away to Everton.
The visitors made the dream start, taking the lead after just nine minutes. Natalie Preston played a ball in behind, Danielle Sheen (pictured) outpaced her marker and then lobbed England keeper Rachel Brown as she came rushing off her line.
Rovers' lead didn't last long however, as Everton equalised just past the half-hour mark courtesy of a great individual goal. Toni Duggan turned on the edge of the box, before rifling the ball into the top corner of the net.
Six minutes into the second half and Everton scored what proved to be the winner, when Denise Campbell miskicked and Jody Handley tapped home from 15 yards.
Everton ought to have been awarded a penalty 10 minutes from time, but a free-kick on the edge of the box was given instead, whilst Katie Anderton had a goal disallowed in stoppage time following a foul on the Everton keeper from a cross.
Manager Adam Lakeland said: "I couldn't have asked for any more from my players. They were outstanding from start until finish.
"They put in an incredible physical effort, both in terms of work rate and willingness to run and press the ball.
"Naturally I'm disappointed with the result. Again, we have given them a really good run for their money, but just come up short. However, I'm sure it's only a matter of time before we do get a result against one of these top teams.
"Everton were always going to be a wounded animal following their League Cup final defeat and so to run them as close as we did, I think our players deserve an awful lot of credit.
"I'm disappointed to be out, but not with the effort or performance. There are certainly more positives to take from this defeat than negatives. It's now a case of putting in performances like that in every league game between now and the end of the season."
ROVERS: Hill, Burke, Roberts, Twohig, Harding, Walker (sub McDougall 65 mins), Kane, Shepherd, Campbell (sub Ward 65 mins), Preston, Sheen (sub Anderton 65 mins).
Subs not used: Carroll, Emmanuel.
