Ede Buchele’s brace and another fine finish from George Heasman helped Fulham Women past Havant and Waterlooville this afternoon and into the next round of the Combined Counties Women’s Cup.
Steve Jaye rotated his side for the rescheduled fixture, with Ellie Parker returning in goal, Tessa Allen and Emily Bird part of a rejigged defence, Rebecca Barron-Clark being brought back into central midfield and Ruby Murtagh joining Buchele in the forward line. Heasman, who grabbed the only goal of the game as the Whites beat Dorking Wanderers last weekend, was the first to threaten but Emily Paines comfortably dealt with the winger’s shot.
The lively Murtagh was denied by Paines before Buchele got the deftest of touches to a terrific cross from Heasman but was unable to direct it goalwards. Barron-Clark struck an effort narrowly wide as the Whites continued to apply the pressure, but a determined Hawks defence made them wait until six minutes before the interval for the breakthrough. Buchele’s anticipation and movement saw her beat her marker and blast high into the roof of the net to give the hosts a deserved lead.
A second goal arrived five minutes later as Murtagh intelligently found Heasman, who found the left corner of the net with real precision. The Hawks, only reconstituted three seasons ago, defended diligently and were only breached once more. Buchele kept her cool to finish past Paines in a one-on-one midway through the first half. Fulham should have made their victory more comfortable, but credit must go to Havant and Waterlooville for their spirit and organisation. Substitute Sasha Adamson came close to grabbing a goal of her own, but was twice thwarted in a lengthy period of added time.
FULHAM WOMEN (3-4-3): Parker; Bird, Southgate, Dale; Allen, Parsonson, Barron-Clark, Lambird; Heasman, Murtagh, Buchele. Subs: Gibbs, Tagliavini, Huntrods, Lewis, Adamson.
GOALS: Buchele (39, 68), Heasman (44).
HAVANT AND WATERLOOVILLE WOMEN: Paines; Potvin, Lake, McNamara, Key, Hooper, Wernham, May, Hier, Lee, Gardner. Subs: Wells, Marsh, Hoggett, Downing, Humphrey.
