SSFC Women win historic FA Cup tie against third-tier Halifax

South Shields Women reached the second round proper of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup with a penalty shoot-out victory against third-tier Halifax FC Women on Sunday.

In a game which seemed to have it all, Ashley Townsend scored twice to give Shields two well-earned leads at various stages, but two Halifax screamers saw the tie flipped on its head leading into the final 10 minutes.

Ellie White would restore parity in the final minute, which sent the two teams - deadlocked at 3-3 - to penalties to find a winner.

Eve Gatens slotted home the winning penalty to send Shields through to the second round proper for the first time in the club’s history. 

Head coach Alex Miller would trust the side which saw heartbreak last time out, in a 1-0 defeat to Chester-le-Street Town Ladies, and they gave it all on the pitch. 

Special credit must be given to Townsend who was effective from the off - the SSFC International Academy star, as well as the player of the match, did wonders out there! 

Meg Cardenas got on the scoresheet in the 35th minute to level things heading into half-time, after Townsend's opener.

In football a lot can change in just a few moments and what happened after proved that. 

Two absolute stunners from long-range by Halifax’s Danielle Whitham and Chloe Fisher transformed the tie, and for a little while, it appeared as though Shields’ efforts were in vain.

Minutes turned to seconds as the Mariners pushed for an equaliser that they sorely needed and deserved - White stole the show with her last-minute goal!

A tense game would be decided by the lottery of penalties to find a winner. 

Both teams scored their opening three penalties, while both teams were matched after four with one missed penalty each.

The visitors missed their fifth, while Gatens tucked her penalty away, putting Shields back into the hat for the next stage of the tournament.  

Although the draw for the second round proper will be made shortly, attention must turn back to the league, where a visit to Hull United Women awaits on Sunday, November 10th. 

South Shields Women: Gowans, Innes, May, Greener, Gatens, White, McMahon, Norton, Elliott-Wood, Townsend, Foster.

Substitutes: Mole, Wootten, England, McDonald, Naylor, Abusada, Jota. 

Goals: Townsend (26’ and 66’), White (90’). 

Halifax FC Women: Bamford, Salisbury-Williams, Walsh, Nuttall, Melrose, Cardenas, Fisher, Harrison, Stout, Limbert, Whitham. 

Substitutes: Bamforth, Armson, Franks. 

Goals: Cardenas (35’), Whitham (79’), Fisher (81’). 

Image credit: Craig McNair (@ideventphoto)