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City Ladies last minute defeat (March 16, 2008) City Ladies 1 Millwall Lionesses 2 (aet)
Only seconds were left in extra-time when City’s Ladies’ brave attempt to overcome Millwall in the Kent County Cup semi-final at Canterbury High School came to an end. That Millwall were the holders and also play several divisions above City’s newly established team meant that extending them so far on an afternoon of incessant rain and a blustery wind was a great compliment to Lorna Shilling’s squad.
City had never before faced a team of this pedigree, nor experienced a match going into extra-time. But when they had to go the extra mile, they did so not only with a continuing spirit to win but on equal terms as far as stamina was concerned. Millwall’s ecstatic celebration when they finally got the winning goal was a clear indication that they knew they had been in probably their toughest game of the season.
There was no doubt that the City players were nervous when they set out on their biggest test of their short history. Passes went astray. Getting the ball through to top scorer Debbie Burgess proved difficult. One or two players who had been consistently impressive all through the league season were hesitant and got caught in possession. Millwall were confident, up to a point. That point was their finishing, which only twice in almost the entire first half caused Sarah Hardy to make a serious save.
Admittedly City themselves found it hard to get into scoring situations but they always had it in mind to hold the Lionesses at bay for as long as possible before risking more commitment upfield. And commitment was the word that summarised everything they did on this afternoon of broken umbrellas and, eventually broken dreams. Suddenly, just before half-time, they managed to send Burgess away with the ball at her feet. In those circumstances she rarely disappoints, and this was her moment. The Millwall ‘keeper moved out but Debbie timed her shot perfectly to give City a lead at the interval that Millwall had not expected.
The question was whether or not City could frustrate Millwall, hang on to the lead and perhaps break away again to consolidate their position. It was not easy to have an eye on both situations. Had Avril Spary managed to keep her shot down rather than lift it over the bar, the game could have finished differently, but she was not alone in missing the few opportunities that came along. Millwall then scrambled in an equaliser after a good build-up. Significantly, they acted as if they had already won the cup. But they still had to face extra-time.
The referee was already looking at her watch in the added period and the prospect of penalties was imminent when City’s enormous effort and no little skill received poor reward. They were beaten by a good shot that gave Sarah Hardy not the remotest chance.
The City Ladies trooped off, soaked and sad but when the disappointment subsides they will look back with great pride on a performance that came close to defying the odds, defied their comparative inexperience as a team and brought great credit on the club.
City: Hardy; Farbrace, Smith, Collins, Fusco, Bowen, Blackmore, Spary, Burgess, Hughes, Scott. Subs: Lovegrove, Smith. Tracey. Click here to return to the News page
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