Millwall Lionesses earned a famous win against FA Women’s National League Division One South East opponents Queens Park Rangers in the Capital Women’s Cup Senior Section at St Paul’s last weekend, and now face AFC Wimbledon away in the quarter-finals.
Millwall were big underdogs in this tie, particularly after the previous weekend’s 5-1 defeat to Ebbsfleet United in the league, but they had trained hard in the lead-up under joint-managers Alex Russell and Adam Rowland, and they were quietly determined to do well against higher-ranked opposition. They also were keen to avenge the Millwall men’s defeat at QPR the day before.
Millwall were without six injured players, who watched the game in Rotherhithe. Clemmie Young retained her place up front, and she was joined by sixteen-year-old debutant Maya Bethelme, her colleague from the club’s under-18 side, while seventeen-year-old Wiktoria Gmiterek continued in goal in the absence of Chrissie Wiggins. Another youngster, Melissa Jones, returned at right-back, and skipper Grace Seely was back in centre midfield.
Yet another seventeen-year-old, Ellen Napper, set up Young for a ferocious shot which cannoned off the crossbar, and Maizie Garwood smashed the rebound home to give the Lionesses a 31st-minute lead.
Gaining in confidence, the Lionesses had the better of the second half, but QPR were, in the words of their match report, “awarded a penalty for a challenge in the area”. The decision came as a surprise to almost everyone present. Ellie Searle converted it for the equaliser, but the Lionesses comfortably reached full-time and a penalty shoot-out.
Gmiterek, who is renowned for saving penalties in the under-18s, pulled off a great save at 4-4 from the sixth penalty. Ella Bailey then calmly slotted home the winner to spark joyous scenes involving the entire team, injured players, and the odd spectator or two. Seely said that her team “had had full confidence in their young keeper” in her post-match interview.
The Dons are the highest-placed team left in the competition, comfortably leading the Division One South East, and it will be a tough challenge on February 18, potentially at Plough Lane in front of a large crowd.
The Lionesses travel to Ashford United this Sunday in the L&SERWFL Premier Division for a 3.15pm kick-off.
The prospect of playing Wimbledon next month with the chance of another cup scalp should help them redouble their efforts in training.
