Women’s FA Cup history created after shootout victory over City

Becky Spencer produced a heroic performance in a dramatic penalty shootout to help us progress to the semi-final of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup for the first time in our history on Sunday afternoon.

There was plenty of drama throughout the game at Brisbane Road as Bethany England’s goal deep in injury time cancelled out Mary Fowler’s early opener to force the game into extra time.

Ending 1-1 after 120 minutes, it went to penalties where the inspired Spencer was on hand to save City’s first two spot-kicks before Amy James-Turner calmly stepped up to secure a historic appearance in the last four of the competition, with the draw taking place on Tuesday (12 March) morning at around 8.20am on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Robert Vilahamn made one change to his starting line-up that faced Arsenal last weekend as Olga Ahtinen came in for Kit Graham, however, there was a late blow before kick-off as Molly Bartrip was struggling with illness in the warm up and was replaced by Luana Bühler ahead of kick-off.

There was only six minutes on the clock when the deadlock was broken as the visitors took an early lead, Fowler’s effort from the edge of the box took a big deflection off James-Turner as the ball looped over the wrong-footed Spencer and into the back of the net.

We looked for an instant reply at the other end, Jessica Naz advancing into the box before her shot was deflected over the bar, but City maintained a strong start to proceedings with Spencer forced into action to deny Fowler before Khadija Shaw sent Jess Park’s low cross wide at the near post.

As we entered the final quarter of the first half, similar to Arsenal last week, we began to grow in confidence as Naz continued to cause problems, with our number seven racing behind City’s backline and picked out by a lovely, weighted pass from Eveliina Summanen, but Keating was alert and out quickly to clear the danger.

Naz picked up where she left off after the break, sending a dangerous cross into the six-yard box that failed to drop to one of her teammates before City had a golden opportunity to extend their lead in the 55th minute as Shaw rose highest to Leila Ouahabi’s cross, but the leading goalscorer in the WSL sent her header over the bar.

As the clock ticked towards the 75th minute, we continued to push for an equaliser and England had a golden opportunity after Graham’s scuffed effort from distance fell kindly to our number nine just outside the six-yard box but she blazed her attempt over the bar.

But, in the sixth minute of injury-time, our captain stepped in at the decisive moment as James-Turner’s long ball forward caused a miscommunication between the on-rushing Keating and Aleixandri, allowing England to race through on-goal and slot home into an empty net.

The game went into extra time as the two sides both pushed for a winner, Lauren Hemp and Matilda Vinberg both sending efforts wide in the opening 15 minutes, while Spencer produced a fine save to push a curling effort from Chloe Kelly wide of the post before City’s number nine rattled the crossbar with a free-kick.

Opportunities were presented to England in the closing stages of extra time, she rose highest to Amanda Nilden’s cross but couldn’t keep her header down before the two linked-up once again, this time Greenwood denying our captain from inside the box.

As the teams couldn’t be separated in the 120 minutes, it would be who could hold their nerve the most in the shootout to decide the tie. And this is where Spencer came alive. City stepped up first as Greenwood saw her spot-kick saved before England converted past Keating. Kelly was then denied by our number 22, but Rosella Ayane couldn't take advantage as she saw her effort saved by Keating.

Yui Hasegawa rolled home to make it 2-2 before a stunning penalty from Nilden put us back ahead. Filippa Angeldahl kept the pressure on as she converted, however, Shaung Wang showed no fear to send Keating the wrong way and make it 3-2. Mary Fowler made it three for City before James-Turner stepped up and showed complete calmness to slot her spot-kick into the bottom corner and secure our victory.

Match data

Goals: Spurs – England (90+6); City – Fowler (6).

Yellow cards: Spurs – Bizet (20), Graham (66); City – Ouahabi (56), Greenwood (78), Hemp (98).

Referee: Kirsty Dowle.

Venue: Brisbane Road.

Weather: Heavy rain, light breeze, nine degrees.

Attendance: 1,314.