First piece of silverware for Stevenage Ladies after their reformation last year
Stevenage Ladies FC won the Cameo Kitchens Women’s County Cup with a 3-0 win over Hemel Hempstead Ladies yesterday.
After a goalless first half at the County Ground in Letchworth, Boro took charge after the break with Donna McGuigan putting Stevenage ahead in the 56th minute after benefitting from a defensive mix-up. Player-manager Josie North ensured the win with two further goals – the first 10 minutes from time from the penalty spot and the second in stoppage time – as Stevenage lifted their first ever County Cup.
An even first 45 saw Hemel threaten first in the opening stages with Stevenage ‘keeper Chrissy Roberts saving well from a Kayleigh Baker’s 30-yard drive. Gradually though Boro came into the game with the lively Nicole Perschky twice being denied by Hemel ‘keeper Ruth Gorin, who also saved superbly from Donna McGuigan
Hemel responded and missed two good opportunities to take the lead before Alex North saw her header clip the wrong side of the post in the game’s best chance so far, after a great run and cross from Perschky out wide.
Stevenage came out strongest in the second half and took the lead 11 minutes in, when McGuigan volleyed into an empty net after a defensive mistake by Gorin.
Roberts superby denied a deflected Steph Cripps effort to prevent the Tudors from equalising before Boro doubled their advantage with just 10 minutes remaining – Josie North firing home a penalty after McGuigan had been fouled in the box.
North then added gloss to the victory against their hardworking lower league opponents with a late third from close range after yet more good work by McGuigan, to seal the win and lift the first piece of silverware since the team reformed in 2014.
Reflecting on the victory Josie North said, “I’m absolutely ecstatic to get the win, and the effort level from all the girls today was incredible. It’s great to see our revolution at Stevenage progressing after being appointed only two years ago. I thought we started off slow, but we spoke to the girls at half-time about how we could improve, and you could see the difference it made in the second half.”
Stevenage Ladies: Roberts, North, Notschild, Godbeer, Cartwright, Emmins, North, Josland, Marshall, McGuigan, Perschky
Subs: Fearon, Milton, Shearwood, Green, Jardine
Attendance: 214