FA Cup: Second Qualifying Round: Frontiers Ladies 4 v 6 Hertford Town

SUNDAY saw Frontiers Ladies host higher league opponents in Hertford Town at Church Langley in front of a 150 strong crowd.

Frontiers got off to a slow start which found them two behind in the first 15 minutes and struggling to get any foot hold in the game, but in the 20th minute a ball was played over the top of the Hertford defence by Paige Goddard which Ella Fobbester raced on to past the centre back and headed over the on-rushing keeper to make it 1-2.

Unfortunately it wouldn’t be long until the visitors regained their two goal advantage as a bit of miscommunication at the back saw Hertford striker take advantage seeing her shot deflect off Jackie Day, wrong footing Jill Bartholomew and rolled into the net to make it 1-3.

A couple of minutes later with the ball at midfielder Lauren Yeats feet she played a pass with the out side of her foot to find Tayla Handscome, who took the ball in her stride and placed the ball calmly into the back of the net to reduce the deficit 2-3 but after a string of saves by keeper Jill Bartholomew Frontiers failed to clear a corner and the visitors took a 2-4 lead into the break. 

The second half started and Frontiers came out like a different side getting into the faces of Hertford and not giving them anywhere near the time on the ball they had first half and got a deserved 3rd goal when Tayla Handscomb spun on the ball outside box and struck a long range effort from 30 yards saw her shot shoot past the keeper into the back of the net 3-4. 

Now they were on the front foot and pressing the away side further back in to their half. Frontiers were gaining momentum but it would be Hertford who would get the next goal from a very dubious penalty, to which Jackie Day and the Striker seemed to collide and the referee pointed to the spot much to the surprise of the majority and converted to make it 3-5.

Almost straight from the KO with 10 minutes still left on the clock you could see Frontiers not giving up that easy would make it a very nervy time when Ash Simonelli picked up the ball on the left beat 3 players and found herself in the box 6 yards out and slot the ball under the keeper 4-5.

Now pushing for a equaliser to take the game to penalties Frontiers push bodies forward paid the price in the 95th minute when on the break a Hertford player run through and scored a 6th to it the game beyond Frontiers. 

Final score Frontiers 4-6 Hertford 

Manager Ronnie Yates said after the game, “First half we was just not at the races and couldn’t get to grips with Hertford and if it wasn’t for our goalkeeper we could have found ourselves further behind but we knew at half time we wasn’t out of the game and the next goal was massive and to go out there second half the way we did couldn’t have made me prouder, it would have been so easy to just collapse and fold at 2-4 but these ladies never know when they are beaten and to show the resilience to keep fighting goes to show you the character this squad has.

“Couldn’t ask anyone from them 2nd half. Today was a great advert for Women’s Football, who doesn’t love playing in the FA Cup and to have over 150 watching was amazing”.

“Also to get our newly formed Under 12’s Lionesses involved in the day was incredible, to see the smiles on their faces throughout the game, being ball girls and being around the Ladies team. The Ladies and I have decided that out of our prize money for the FA Cup we will be sponsoring the Lionesses new training tops. 

“We now have to take that second half performance back into our league games starting back next week when we travel to Southend to play Corinthians”. 

Sundays players of the match were Jill Bartholomew (Manager Player) and Tayla Handscome (Captains Player)