Fulham Ladies reached the final of the AXA F.A. Women's Cup by beating National Premier League team Southampton Saints 5 - 0 at Kingstonian FC. All five goals were scored in the first half.
Fulham were on the attack from the whistle, and within the first minute took the lead through Sanchia Duncan (1), who from just outside the box shot with the outside of her foot, and the ball flew in by the left-hand post. It was just the start that Fulham wanted.
Southampton Saints responded with a couple of attacks which seemed to briefly unsettle the Fulham defence. But determined Fulham Ladies took control of the game and following a couple of exhilarating runs down the left flank by Kim Jerray-Silver she won a corner. Kim, took the corner and Fulham defender Katie Poore (8) deflected the ball into her own net.
With Fulham passing the ball with style and confidence and with the Southampton defence being run rugged, a third goal was inevitable. Margunn Haugenes (14) finished off another superb Fulham move from just inside the six yard box.
Southampton's goalkeeper Debbie Beer went down injured after 35 minutes after an innocent challenge with a Fulham player and was obviously struggling... And with Fulham in full flow more goals duly arrived. Sanchia Duncan's (41) second and Fulham's fourth, and then to complete a superb first-half performance Deena Rahman (46) got in on the act to made it 5-0 in added time.
Fulham did not add any more goals in the second half, which had seen the Southampton defence tighten up. Southampton's Ruth Little had replaced Debbie Beer in goal. There were opportunities on both sides, but it was Fulham who had the more clear cut chances, with shots and headers just going wide, a shot hitting the post, and there was a fine reflex save by Southampton's Little. Despite many Southampton attacks Layla Young, was rarely tested.
Fulham put in a thoroughly entertaining, confident solid performance, fully deserving of the 5-0 victory. It could have been more.
Fulham:
Young, Gibbons, Jerray-Silver, Petersen, Philip, Chapman, Duncan, McArthur, Petterson, Rahman, Haugenes.
Subs:
Mork, Bowry, Hynes, Yankey, Betts.
Fulham will now face London rivals Arsenal - who beat Bristol Rover in the other semi-final - in the Women's F.A Cup Final which will be played at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace on May 7
Source Fulham fc by Carol Gale