Fantastic cup run comes to an end as Under-21s defeated at Dulwich

It was a valiant performance from our Women’s Under-21s, but our Capital Cup journey came to an end at the semi-final stage after a 2-1 defeat at Dulwich Hamlet on Sunday.

Facing the FA Women’s National League side, at tier four level of the Women’s football pyramid, we gave ourselves a difficult start under the sun at Champion Hill as Martha Goddard fired the home side in front inside the opening five minutes. Despite the early setback, we responded well and got back on level terms on the half-hour mark after some excellent pressing from Cruz Fuller-Fagan allowed Mia Endacott to slot home with a composed finish.

However, our hard work was undone on the stroke of half-time, Goddard doubling her tally to reinstate Dulwich’s lead. We pushed for a leveller once again in the second half, but it just wasn’t to be as Dulwich stood strong to see off any comeback and book their spot in the final to face Arsenal Under-21s.

It was another brave performance from Nick Hardy’s side as they went toe-to-toe with a senior opposition for the third time in this competition and there will be many positives to take from a fantastic cup run for our group of youngsters.

We got off to a less than ideal start in south east London as, on four minutes, Goddard capitalised on Erin Radbourne’s pass and, although her initial effort was blocked by Grace Breen, the Dulwich forward fired low into the far corner on the second attempt to give the hosts an early lead. Chances were few and far between for the opening quarter-of-an-hour with our first real opportunity coming on 18 minutes when Endacott’s free-kick from around 20 yards out struck the wall while, at the other, Zara Bailey had to be alert to deny Francis Weir after she raced behind our backline.

Goddard had a brilliant opportunity to double the home side’s advantage as she latched on to a long ball forward and flicked it over Emily McMaster inside the box but her first-time effort was weak and easy for Radbourne. We managed to find an equaliser on the half-hour mark as some excellent pressuring from Cruz Fuller-Fagan forced Saskia Reeves Priestly into a mistake, the ball fell to the feet of Endacott inside the box and she showed composure to slot home at the near post. Dulwich looked for a response in the closing stages of the half, Price’s deep free-kick inside our half bounced off the woodwork but, in the final minute of the half, Goddard once again raced behind our backline, took it round Radbourne before converting into the empty net to reinstate their advantage.

The hosts looked to further extend their advantage after the restart as Price’s free-kick from distance grazed the top of the netting, while we came close to finding an equaliser following some lovely link-up play between Kendra Brown and Hills on the edge of the box, the latter firing narrowly wide with her left-foot. Radbourne produced a fantastic low save to her right to deny Natalie Taylor to keep the scoreline at 2-1 and, moments later, they should have added a third when Rhea Gall headed over from the six-yard box following another lovely delivery from Price.

As we entered the final stages of the encounter, the home side struck the woodwork as Tia Searle’s half-volley clipped the outside of the post after capitalising on a moment of misjudgement from Beatrice Cunnison before, shortly after, Radbourne was quick off her line to block Goddard’s effort. We struggled to create opportunities in the second period but we were presented with one last chance in the final minute of the game, substitute Blue Bartlett-Antwi on the left-hand side of box picked out Brown in the middle of the box but, just as the midfielder was about to pull the trigger, her foot gave way and allowed Dulwich to clear the ball, bringing an end to our fantastic cup run in a senior competition.