An extra-time winner from Lilly Lambird ensured Fulham FC Women made it through to the next round of the League Cup after a thrilling 3-2 win over Dulwich Hamlet Reserves at Motspur Park this afternoon.
Fulham had to field a much-changed line-up due to injuries and unavailability of a number of first-team regulars but took a firm grip of the contest before half-time. Ruby Murtagh offered an early indication of the home side’s intentions with a rising drive that flew over the crossbar before Georgia Heasman hammered the Whites into the lead with a fantastic free-kick. Sophie Manzi doubled lead eight minutes later when she pounced after a goalmouth melee, but Hamlet’s second string fought back impressively to level the contest by scoring twice in the space of four minutes before the break.
Murtagh nearly restored Fulham’s lead in first half stoppage time but was denied by a pair of brilliant saves by the visiting goalkeeper. Debutant Prudie Todd-Warmoth almost capped off an impressive performance with a terrific effort that flew just over the top before Heasman went close from another set piece. Heasman wasn’t far away with another strike that went agonisingly wide before Lambird drilled one high into the net to put Fulham in front five minutes before half time.
A tense contest saw Fulham progress after being pushed all the way by Dulwich’s reserves, who deserved plenty of credit for their resilience and never-say-die attitude. Fulham will face Hamlet’s first eleven at home in the next round, which is scheduled for the start of February.
FULHAM FC WOMEN (3-4-3): Stratton; Dale, Tagliavini, Christison-McNee, Adaway, Heasman, Lambird, Murtagh, Buchele, Todd-Warmoth, Manzi. Subs: Parker, Bird, Allen, Walters, Connelley.
GOALS: Heasman (20), Manzi (28), Lambird (100).
