Extra-time heartbreak for Women’s Under-19s at Gwalia

A valiant comeback from our Under-19s ended in heartbreak as we fell 4-3 in extra-time to Gwalia United in the FA Women's National League Plate.

Facing the Women's third-tier senior side, we raced into a 1-0 goal lead in the first period in Wales as Heidi Hills continued her fine goalscoring run for the Under-19s – scoring in consecutive games across all competitions.

The Cardiff-based side responded well after the break and three goals in a 12-minute minute spell in the second half gave them a healthy advantage as they looked on course to victory. However, our youngsters’ spirit didn’t dampen and we fought back, as Hills was on hand to convert from close range to halve the deficit.

Then, in the closing stages, Hills secured her hat-trick with a stunning goal from edge of the box to force the game into extra-time. But, four minutes into the additional 30 minutes, the home side were awarded a penalty and at the second time of asking and, despite Erin Radbourne saving the initial first attempt, it was retaken for encroachment and they calmly converted at the second time of asking.

We pushed for a late equaliser but it wasn’t to be for Sabiha Jamal’s side, with Gwalia progressing to the next round of the competition, while there will be plenty of positives for our young side to take into the rest of competition.

Gwalia started the brighter of the two sides, with Radbourne called into action early on to deny Daisy Ackerman and Georgia Walters before Cori Williams-Mills headed wide at the back post from a corner. However, having held our own in the contest in the opening stages and keeping the senior side at bay, we broke the deadlock on 37 minutes when Kendra Brown picked out Hills inside the box and she slotted home beyond Benedicte Haaland, sending our young side into the lead the break.

A response from Gwalia was expected after the break, but there was very few opportunities to report on inside the opening quarter of the second period. However, just after the hour mark, the home side burst into life and found a leveller as Ellie-Mai Sanford squared the ball to Casi Gregson who converted at the near post. Moments later, and Gwalia were ahead in the contest. Georgia Walters, from around 25 yards out, picked out the top right corner to complete the turnaround for the home side.

 Then, on 75 minutes, it became three for Gwalia when Gregson cut the ball across the face of the goal for Williams-Mills to tap in at the back post. However, our young side continued to show plenty of fight, and Hills, who was our most dangerous outlet throughout the game, grabbed her second of the game to halve the deficit on 79 minutes. After Mia Endacott’s brilliant effort struck the underside of the crossbar, Hills was quickest to react to force home the rebound. Moments later, Hills completed her hat-trick and produced a stunning comeback for us, once again showing the quickest reactions to pounce on a loose ball on the edge of the box, following a free-kick, to fire home first time off the underside of the crossbar.

With the momentum in our sails, we pushed for a winner in the closing stages but Ackerman produced a vital block to deny Hills a fourth and send the game into extra-time. Our hard work was quickly undone five minutes into the additional 30 when Williams-Mills was bundled over inside the box and the home side were awarded a penalty. Radbourne was on hand to deny Williams-Mills spot-kick but, due to encroachment inside the box, the referee ordered a retake and the Gwalia forward made no mistake at the second time of asking as she calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

As the game entered the final minutes, we came so close to another leveller late but substitute Eloise Summers-Mee could only head wide from close range before Hills was once again denied a fourth by Ackerman, as the home side held on to secure their spot in the next round of competition.

"I hope the girls can take a lot of pride from this performance"

Reflecting on the game, Sabiha said: “I’m so proud of the team for their determination and spirit throughout the game, to go toe-to-toe with a very experienced senior side. The moment we conceded the third goal was huge, we could’ve given up and I’ve seen many sides do that but, for the first time, I saw the girls rally each other - they didn’t need my voice at all. Then, before we knew it, it was 3-3 in the game and, arguably, we could ‘ve nicked it right at the end. The goal in extra-time hurts a lot and I know the overall feeling after the game will be disappointment, but today showed me how much growth there has been recently and I hope the girls can take a lot of pride from this performance."