By Jeff Burnige at Motspur Park
Millwall Lionesses enjoyed a 1-0 victory over in-form Fulham Ladies in a tight quarter-final of the London & South East Regional League Cup last Sunday.
Despite struggling with a seven-player injury list including inspirational skipper Jordan Butler, the Lionesses were up for a battle and went ahead after 25 minutes through a brilliant 30-yard free-kick from Maisie Joyce.
Jack Wheeler’s side almost doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time only for top-scorer Chloe Burr’s free-kick to hit the crossbar.
Roared on by a large and partisan home crowd, after the pre-match brass band had set the tone, Fulham began to dominate in the second half searching for an equaliser to send the tie into extra-time and potentially penalties.
But the Lionesses coped well in their organised defensive shape, and goalkeeper Chrissie Wiggins’ handling was faultless, particularly from set-pieces.
Stand-in captain and centre-back Sophie Chapman was the pick of the defenders, who at times were being asked to put their bodies on the line.
Midfielder Millie Penfold was on hand to clear an effort off the line the only time Wiggins was beaten, but the final minutes were a little more comfortable as Fulham’s frustrations grew.
This result had been preceded by a 4-0 win for the Lionesses’ impressive under-18s against AFC Wimbledon in the Capital Girls League Cup semi-final.
This weekend, the first team have a much-anticipated local derby at home against Dulwich Hamlet in their LSEWRFL Premier Division game at St Paul’s in Rotherhithe.
Kick-off on Sunday is 2pm and admission is free to all spectators, home and away.