Last Gasp Barnet Progress in FA Cup &&&&..

Chesham United LFC 3  Barnet FC Ladies 4 (After Extra Time)

FA Women's Cup - Round One

Sunday 23 October 2005

At Chesham United FC

Barnet FC Ladies progressed to the Second Round of the FA Women's Cup on Sunday thanks to an extra time win against South West Combination team Chesham United.However, the Bees were made to fight all the way for their victory, Stacey Sowden's winner coming in the final minute of extra time.

The Bees' got off to a sluggish start and it was no surprise when the home side took the lead after 20 minutes through their prolific striker Sian Williams.Chesham appeared to be much sharper in the opening period and could have gone further ahead when Heather McDowell's back header struck the foot of the Barnet post.

However, Barnet could count themselves unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty in the early minutes of the game.Hayley Johnson and Beth Curtis combined to set up Stacey Sowden.Sowden's shot was well saved by Masella, the Chesham goalkeeper, but as the ball fell to Curtis, she looked to have been tripped on the edge of the box.

Having falling behind, Barnet were moved to a more urgent performance.Charlotte Herson had a 25-yard effort, which went just wide.A Katie O'Donoghue cross found Stacey Sowden, whose shot from an acute angle was well saved by the home keeper.Beth Curtis also went close when her tantalising cross-shot drifted close to the far post.

The Bees' received just reward for their pressure when they equalised after 37 minutes.Sharp interplay between Curtis and Sowden on the edge of the box resulted in Curtis being brought down by a Chesham defender.Replacement referee Mr. Key had no hesitation in awarding a penalty kick, which was coolly converted by Curtis herself.

Barnet kept the upper hand at the start of the second half.Sowden and Herson both went close to giving Barnet the lead having been set up by Curtis.Chesham also had a decent chance to regain the lead when Williams seized on an uncharacteristic mistake from Katie Wicka.However, Hannah Grover was on hand to do just enough to force Williams into shooting wide.

Barnet took the lead after 55 minutes, when Stacey Sowden intercepted Cath Andrews' free kick and rounded the advancing goalkeeper before coolly slotting the ball into the net.The strike was Sowden's 52nd first team goal for Barnet and took her past Kristy Moore's record to become Barnet's all-time top goalscorer.

It was Chesham's turn to mount a comeback and they produced an equaliser after 66 minutes.A mix up between Charlotte Herson and Kerry Jones resulted in Chesham being awarded a free kick 25 yards from the Barnet goal.Zoe Lange produced an unstoppable free kick to level the scores at 2-2.Barnet strove to regain the lead and both Curtis and Sowden both went close but 90 minutes expired with the scores at 2-2 and so extra time was required.

It took only two minutes of the additional period for Stacey Sowden to fire Barnet back in front.She latched on to Hayley Johnson's ball from the right to score from close range to give the Bees a 3-2 advantage.However, Chesham equalised again shortly before the expiry of the first period of extra time.Williams again took advantage a defensive slip and fired a powerful shot goalwards.Jess Devoti got a hand to the shot but was unable to prevent the ball from going in.

The match seemed certain to be heading for a penalty shoot-out as neither side was able to claim the decisive strike.However, with seconds remaining Hayley Johnson produced a lob, which was dipping under the Chesham crossbar before Masella produced a stunning save.

Less than a minute later and with only seconds remaining, Sowden produced the killer blow for the Bees with her hat trick goal.The home keeper saved Beth Curtis' original effort, but the ball rebounded to Sowden who steered the ball into an empty net for a dramatic late winner.

Barnet FC Ladies have been rewarded with a home tie in Round Two against fellow South East Combination side Dagenham & Redbridge.The tie will be played at Hanwell Town FC on Sunday 13 November 2005, kick-off 2.00 pm.

Barnet Team:Jess Devoti; Kerry Jones, Hannah Grover, Katie Wicka, Lizzie Goodwin; Hayley Johnson, Charlotte Herson, Emma Treanor, Katie O'Donoghue; Beth Curtis, Stacey Sowden.

Substitutes: Cerrie Byrne (for Lizzie Goodwin 46 mins), Davina Smith (for Kerry Jones 75 mins), Kerry O'Connor (for Hannah Grover 106 mins).

Goalscorers: Beth Curtis (37 mins pen), Stacey Sowden (55, 92 and 119 mins)