Hill bowed out of the SCFA Women’s Cup on Sunday despite a valiant effort against Montpelier Villa at Culver Road.
The hosts came into the game as strong favourites, with the Hillians aiming to bridge a division wide gap between themselves and a well established Tier 6 outfit.
The visitors seemed undaunted early on and started the game on the front foot with early chances that were enough to test the MVFC keeper. And it didn’t take long for the pressure to pay off, with Lottie Cheverton pouncing on a defensive mix-up to give the away side the lead 7 minutes in. 0-1.
After going ahead, Hill didn’t let up and continued to create chances in what became and end-to-end game, with the Villa keeper making a brilliant (and crucial) stop from a low strike from Katie Smyth. Villa still looked for a foothold in the game, and it came in bizarre fashion. With Hillians defender Emma Johnson having to go off for treatment from an elbow to the nose, the referee failed to wave her back on and amidst the confusion from both teams, a cross from Laura Huish freakishly looped in. HT 1-1.
In the opening exchanges of the second half, Hill played most of the football and had chances to regain the lead. Most of the game was played in the Villa half however the hosts did look to threaten on the counter attack in what became an exciting encounter.
With penalties looming, it was the hosts who showed their quality to take the lead 15 minutes from time. Hill failed to clear a long ball effectively and Huish was on hand again to finish 1v1 and put Villa ahead. Hill pushed for en equaliser (at one stage with 5 attacking players on the pitch and just one recognised defender) but the ball just would not sit despite multiple entries into the box. The best chance fell to Heidi Bryant 20 yards out who forced the MVFC keeper into action to push the ball away for a corner.
In the end with Hill committing numbers forwards, Villa broke with an overload and clinically killed the game off in the dying embers. A valiant performance from Hill against a side from a higher tier but not the result they wanted. FT 3-1.
After the game, manager Tom Clingo said:
“It’s frustrating to lose because I thought for large spells we played really well. It’s not often I say this but I thought the better team lost today if I’m completely honest.
Credit to Montpelier Villa though- they showed their quality and ability to manage the game when it mattered and we probably didn’t create enough to get back into it at 2-1 which is a testament to them as we tend to be pretty good in those moments.
It’s disappointing but we still have 4 more cup competitions to play in- they’re all opportunities in their own right. I’m pretty determined to make sure we’re back here again (Culver Road) for an even bigger game late in the season and I know the players are too.”
