Fulham FC Women are into the first round proper of the FA Cup after stunning Actonians 4-3 on penalties after a stoppage-time header from Becky Stormer cancelled out the opening goal from Jasmine Williamson.
The Whites made light of Sophie Manzi’s controversial dismissal to send their hosts, who currently ply their trade a division higher, crashing out of the competition at the third qualifying round stage following two superb saves in the shoot-out from Ellie Parker.
The Cottagers fully merited their giantkilling having embraced the challenge of being drawn away at National League opposition and created the clearer chances in a first half that they largely dominated. A combination of skipper Mary Southgate and Stormer blocked an early effort from the lively Tori St. Clair but the visitors largely nullified the threat posed by Actonians’ front three and were on the front foot for the most of the first 45 minutes.
Georgia Heasman was denied by a smart stop from home goalkeeper Elisa Dogor before the marauding Megalie Mendes hit the crossbar with a fine curling effort. The South African wing-back proved a potent threat throughout the first half, whipping another effort just wide of goal before a flowing move down the right that saw Madi Parsonson and Georgia Heasman combine presented Manzi with a glorious chance six yards out. The former Dulwich forward lent back as she hit it and blazed over the bar.
Actonians largely failed to feature as an attacking force in the first half with Rochelle Shakes stabbing wide just before the break but Kieran Beesley’s side upped the ante after the interval and began to pen the Whites back for the first time in the contest. Shakes and St. Clair were denied by brilliant saving tackles from Tagliavini and Southgate before Manzi shot straight at the goalkeeper having worked space for herself in the box. The Whites were hit by a sucker punch from a quick throw-in when the wily Williamson wriggled away from the attentions of Olivia Dale and powered a low finish past Parker from the edge of the area.
The hosts almost swiftly doubled their lead when Maria Ledezma-Viso’s drive cannoned off a defender and Williamson was inches away from turning home a cross from Shakes. The visitors fought valiantly through a period of Actonians pressure with substitute Ede Buchele unlucky not to make telling contact with a fine cross from Parsonson. Williamson and Shakes spurned one-on-one opportunities to put the game beyond the visitors, but Fulham seemed invigorated by adversity after Manzi was shown a straight red despite seeming to win a 50-50 challenge on the edge of the Actonians box.
The numerical disadvantage only seemed to spur Fulham forward with Alex Hayman, introduced off the bench, linking up well with Parsonson to force a corner down the left. When Actonians failed to clear Parsonson’s delivery, the wing-back delivered a deep ball to the back post where Stormer soared to head the Whites level. Fulham looked the likelier to win it in ten minutes of added time – but the tie went straight to penalties.
Parker saved Actonians’ first spot-kick but the contest was back in the balance when Sascha Adamson struck the crossbar. Parker produced another superb stop only for Betty Barron-Clark to see her effort saved, which sent the shoot-out to sudden death. Buchele produced a nerveless penalty and Parker mustered up more heroics to seal a superb victory.
ACTONIANS LADIES FC (4-3-3): Dogor; Brereton, Meade, Drage, Clement; D’Santos, Williamson, Orozco; Ledezma-Viso, St. Clair, Shakes. Subs: Taylor, Dredge, Bramwell, James.
GOAL: Williamson (64).
FULHAM FC WOMEN (3-4-3): Parker; Dale, Tagliavini, Southgate; Parsonson, Mendes (Hayman), Stormer (Barron-Clark), Lambird; Heasman (Buchele), Adamson, Manzi. Subs (not used): Stratton, Gibbs, Huntrods.
BOOKED: Manzi, Southgate.
SENT OFF: Manzi.
GOAL: Stormer (90+1).
