WOMEN'S SOCCER: West Ham Ladies 1 Stowmarket 2 (aet). Debbie Morley grabbed a dramatic last-gasp goal as Stowmarket Sophtlogic Ladies secured an epic South East Combination League Cup quarter-final victory at West Ham Ladies.
WOMEN'S SOCCER
West Ham Ladies 1 Stowmarket 2 (aet)
DEBBIE Morley grabbed a dramatic last-gasp goal as Stowmarket Sophtlogic Ladies secured an epic South East Combination League Cup quarter-final victory at West Ham Ladies.
Morley netted in the second period of extra-time to secure a 2-1 victory and leave manager Ali Seymour delighted.
Seymour's outfit were looking to put a 1-0 South East Combination defeat in their previous outing behind them.
Stowmarket had the psychological advantage of a 1-0 league win at West Ham a few weeks earlier.
With a new addition to the team from overseas, in the shape of Stephanie Edwards, an undergraduate studying at Colchester University from the USA, Stow had a strong squad.
And the return of leading goalscorer Morley after injury was another boost for the visitors.
Stowmarket piled on the early pressure with Morley narrowly missing a header from a cross by striking partner Jo Welham.
Paula Drane and Rachel Gwilliams also both missed chances early on in the first half.
The game settled into a midfield battle with Stowmarket's Steph Lloyd picking up a harsh booking.
Central midfielder Kelly Stannard worked tirelessly and created a good chance again for Morley in the 27th minute who failed to hit the target.
Penalty claims for a push on Morley were rejected as the first half ended goalless.
Stowmarket dominated the early stages of the second period but lacked a finishing touch in front of goal while visiting keeper Louise Fellingham made a series of saves from West Ham on the break.
Drane was denied by a superb save to preserve the deadlock at the end of normal time.
West Ham finally opened the scoring five minutes into extra-time with an against-the-run-of-play effort.
Stowmarket immediately stepped up a gear and levelled when Morley lashed home from a corner by Vanessa Smith.
They eventually snatched a place in the last four when Welham knocked down Smith's free-kick and Morley kept her composure to slot home.
STOWMARKET entertain bottom of the table Cambridge University Ladies on Sunday (2pm).
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