NORTHWICH Vixens gave a strong account of themselves against higher placed opposition before bowing out of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup on Saturday.
They led 2-0 against Darwen Ladies at Park Stadium, Lostock Gralam, but the visitors levelled in added time and then won the penalty shoot-out.
Vixens manager Tony Heron said: “Penalties are such a cruel way to lose a game, especially as I thought that we did enough to win the game over the 90 minutes.
“We didn’t get what we deserved, and the players are devastated but I have to look at the positives that we weren’t just competitive against a team from a higher division, we were the better side.
“The lesson we have to learn is that we have to be better at managing the game, but our commitment, effort and togetherness was fantastic.
“It was also great to see so many people down at The Park, supporting the Vixens and the mascots were fantastic.”
After a quiet and even first 10 minutes, Vixens took control by scoring two goals in six minutes.
Firstly, good link-up play down the right led to Paige Hewitt playing a good ball into the area to Jennifer Jaques who was free in front of goal, and she confidently placed the ball past the keeper.
It soon got even better as a quick break led to a corner for Vixens which was floated in by Michaela Thompson to the far side of the box where Rebecca Francis-Jones met it with a fine shot which gave the keeper no chance.
Slowly, Darwen started to get back in the match but they were being restricted to long-range shots which weren’t troubling Jackson in the Vixens net.
Abby Whittingham saved the Vixens in the 36th minute with a great last-ditch tackle as Darwen pressed forward, but the pressure eventually told just a minute later as Justine Wallace superbly headed in a cross from the right for Darwen.
This spurred Vixens on again and they came close twice just before the break.
Firstly, Hewitt had a shot well blocked after a defensive error, then Thompson couldn’t quite get the finish as a ball was played over the Darwen back-line.
The second half started off scrappily and there were few chances for either team as the match became a midfield battle.
Darwen were attempting to push forward more and more, but Vixens were holding firm and looking dangerous on quick breaks.
Toni Woodward with a corner forced the keeper to punch clear while under pressure from two Vixens attackers after 67 minutes.
Then Darwen did well to clear a low cross from the impressive Paige Hewitt just in front of two Vixens forwards.
Darwen came close after 78 minutes as Jackson tipped wide a flashing shot from the right said of the area.
Vixens nearly made the game safe after 84 minutes as Hewitt made another great run down the left and laid the ball back to Hollie Durkin whose shot was brilliantly cleared from the line.
Darwen were throwing everything forward now, and went close as Vixens were forced to clear off the line with the keeper beaten.
Then in the third minute of added time, Darwen scored with an angled shot from 10 yards out to take the tie to penalties.
Both teams scored the first six penalties.
Darwen scored with their seventh but Jennifer Jaques’ powerful effort was straight at the keeper.
A hard result for Vixens to take, but they did themselves proud.
Vixens: Jackson, McGrath, Stobie, Bibby-Cheshire, Whittingham, Francis-Jones, Thompson (Durkin 57’), Woodward, Hartopp, Hewitt, Jaques.
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