Winchester City Flyers debut in Women’s FA Cup

On Sunday Winchester City Flyers played their first ever match in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup 1st Round Proper, hosting AFC Portchester at the Charters Community Stadium.

Winchester came into this tie having won 3-0 against Bitton and 14-0 against Dorchester Town in previous rounds of the competition.

The game got off to the perfect start for the Flyers; with less than four minutes on the clock, an attempted clearance from Portchester’s Brooke Marshall was smashed home by Libby Wilkinson for 1-0.

But the traveling support from the south coast wouldn’t have to wait long to see their side find a leveler. With just eight minutes on the clock, a corner from Eilidh Currie was met by the head of Sam Jennings, whose effort just could no be stopped by the Winchester defence.

The hosts almost retook the lead after a quarter of an hour when a pinpoint cross from Emily McDonagh was volleyed just wide by Kayleigh Tonks.

But just a minute later it was the visitors who got their second goal, Gemma Hiller found space on the edge of the area and her shot was too powerful for goalkeeper Ellie Parker.

Winchester could have found themselves two down on 30 minutes, but an offside flag denied AFC Portchester a third goal.

But just shy of the hour mark the away side would eventually find that all-important third, when Hillier broke free of the Flyers defense and rounded the goalkeeper to give herself a simple finish.

The hosts were not done yet though, and they nearly found a way back into the game when a half volley from Wilkinson flashed just wide of the post.

But with 20 minutes left to play a Winchester clearance fell straight to the feet of Currie, whose smart dummy and strong finish put the results beyond any doubt.

The Flyers FA Cup run was over, missing out on a home tie against Bournemouth in the next round.