Wanderers Women returned to winning ways in style with a dominant 5-0 victory over Chester FC at Victory Park on Sunday afternoon, securing their place in the next qualifying round (third) of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.
An Abbie Brown brace, as well as goals for Madison Hardman, Eleanor Seals and a first Wanderers' goal for Evie Sadler ensured safe passage into the next round with an accomplished performance.
On what was an emotional afternoon following the news of the passing of Matt Beard, the team and staff paid tribute to Matt before kick-off. A respected and influential figure in the growth of the Women’s game, Matt worked very closely with several members of Wanderers' coaching staff during his career. His legacy and impact on the sport were reflected in a poignant moment of remembrance ahead of the match.
Myles Smith’s side then came out the blocks fighting, with a fast-paced opening saw both sides threaten early, but it was Chester who created the first real chance of the match. A cutback from Elizabeth Summers found Freya Williams in the middle, but her effort was straight at Annabelle White, who held comfortably.
Wanderers were on the front foot, however, and they looked to assert themselves inside the opening 15 minutes and came close when Faye Knox burst through one-on-one, only to be denied by a fine save from the visiting goalkeeper. Imogen Longcake was quickest to react to the rebound, but Chester managed to clear their lines.
Zara Plano drew loud penalty appeals just five minutes later after weaving her way into the area with a jinking run before going down under a challenge, but the referee waved play on.
A long ball for the visitors over the top tested the Wanderers defence shortly after, but the resulting shot was dragged wide of the target to the Whites' relief.
At the other end, Knox continued to be a threat, cutting inside and unleashing a strike that the keeper did well to push away at full stretch.
The breakthrough came moments later, however. Knox once again beat her marker on the flank and drilled a low ball into the box. After a scramble inside the area, Abbie Brown showed great awareness to turn and finish neatly into the corner to hand Wanderers the lead.
Just four minutes later, Wanderers thought they had doubled their lead through Brown once again. A driving run from Millie Smith set up Eleanor Seals, whose effort was parried into the path of Brown, who tucked home – only to see the flag raised for offside.
Zara Plano then tested the keeper again with a well-struck free-kick from distance, which was turned behind well for a corner.
Knox was involved once more just after the half-hour mark, firing low at goal – Beaty spilled it through her legs but recovered just in time on the line.
Wanderers - and Brown - did find their second just before the break. Charlotte Tyers picked out a perfect through ball to release Brown, who stayed calm to slot past the keeper one-on-one.
The hosts started the second half as they ended the first. A pinpoint switch from Katie Holt found Knox in space – she cut inside and let fly, forcing a superb save from Beaty diving to her left.
Wanderers added a third with a superb, flowing move. Millie Smith remained composed under pressure before threading Knox down the left. She delivered a sublime outside-of-the-foot pass to Madi Hardman, who rounded the goalkeeper calmly and tucked it home.
Inside the final 15, Wanderers had their third. From a short corner routine between Knox and Seals, they were able to create space for the latter, who arrowed a brilliant strike into the far corner from a tight angle.
Knox continued to cause problems late on, cutting the ball back to Evie Sadler inside the area, but the shot was blocked.
However, Sadler would have her moment and the final say of the afternoon to get her first Wanderers goal. Played through one-on-one by a smart pass from Tash Dale, she rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into the empty net to complete the scoring and round off a superb afternoon's work.
Wanderers will find out their opponents in the next round on Monday, before continuing in cup action next weekend as they face Preston North End in the Alliance Design and Print Cup.
Wanderers: White (GK), Holt (C), Walsh, Clark, Seals, Smith, Longcake, Knox, Brown, Tyers, Plano
Subs: Lester (GK), Dale, Sadler, Baldwin, Hardman, Fatuga-Dada
Chester: Beaty (GK), Johnson, Adderley, Kelso, Richardson, Williams, Redman, O’Neil, Smith, Clausen, Summers
Subs: Owen, Tweedle, Mallon, Allen, Turner, Hutchinson, Andrews
Report by Katherine Byrne. Pictures by Jake Horrocks.