Penalty heartbreak for London City as Tottenham Hotspur progress to the quarter-finals of the Adobe Women's FA Cup.
Monday 23rd January | CopperJax Community Stadium
London City bowed out of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup following a penalty shoot-out defeat in the fifth-round tie against Tottenham Hotspur in Bromley.
Quick-fire second half goals from Daniëlle van de Donk and Jana Fernádez saw the home side come from behind before Bethany England’s stoppage time penalty levelled the scores to take the tie into extra-time.
It was a cruel exit after the home side carved several opportunities and were seconds from victory.
The visitors took an early lead through Matilda Vinberg’s finish. Signe Gaupset then went close moments later for Martin Ho’s North London side.
After weathering early pressure, London City’s response was strong with Nikita Parris twice going close. She firstly met Sanni Franssi’s cutback but her effort was blocked before Kosavare Aslanni’s cross found Parris whose header was superbly saved at point-blank range by Lize Kop.
Freya Godfrey also struck as the clock edged towards half-time but Kop was equal to the effort.
Tottenham started the second half strongly. Cathinka Tandberg had two efforts blocked in a scramble from Eveliina Summanen's free-kick, Gaupset was also denied by a big block from Wassa Sangaré. Tandberg then had a goal ruled out for offside as she nudged in a cross from Vinberg.
The hosts grew in confidence and fresh from her first senior England Women call-up, Poppy Pattinson was ever-present down the left wing and saw her strike edge over.
Corrales and van de Donk were introduced just shy of the hour and immediately combined to level – Corrales’ excellent cross from the left finding van de Donk who steered home.
A minute later, and with their tails up, Maestre’s side took the lead, Fernandez’s fine long-strike strike arrowing into the top corner.
Both goals were van de Donk and Fernandez’s first in London City colours.
Provider almost turned scorer as Corrales was found at the back post but her volley from 10 yards was well held by the Spurs custodian.
The visitors levelled with the last action of the regulation 90, Teyah Goldie was adjudged to have handled a ball in the box which was recycled from a corner and substitute England dispatched the spot-kick to take the tie into extra time.
Both teams worked tirelessly to search for the winner but clear cut chances were limited in the 30-minutes of extra-time.
In the first period, Kop was on hand once more to save from Isobel Goodwin, Amanda Nilden's low curler from 20 yards was taken by Elena Lete and Malou Marcetto headed wide. Tandberg was off target with a chance at the start of the second period and Goodwin's cross was turned away.
With no goals separating the side, the teams contested a penalty shoot-out The first 17 penalties were successful before Kop denied French international Sangaré with a save down to her right to seal the tie.
Head coach Maestre said: “I’m very proud of the team. They fought like warriors again in this game.
“We had lots of chances to win the match. I’m proud of the whole squad, starters and substitutes, and how they pushed until the end.
“We played well and dominated large parts of the match. We reacted well to going behind early in the game. We were then very close to sealing the win in normal time but didn’t. We kept believing and kept going in extra-time and had chances then too.
“It’s another good performance against a strong team and I feel for the players as we deserved more. The way we are able to face top teams is positive. It’s something which empowers us in the way we are training and pushing every day.
"Hopefully next time we can get the result we deserve."
Following the upcoming international break, London City return to action on Sunday 15 March where they welcome Arsenal to the CopperJax Community Stadium in the Barclays Women’s Super League (11.55 kick-off) before hosting Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea in a London derby at the Den on Saturday 21 March (12.00 kick-off).