The Wight Eagles hosted Division 1 side Rushmoor in the Hampshire Women’s Invitation Cup last weekend.
Looking to bounce back from defeat, the Island side came out the stronger of the 2 teams, with a few teams in the squad selection seeing a more attacking side.
The Islanders had early chances with Kira Smith going close to opening the score line along with shots from Jess Green and Abi Joyce – but the Rushmoor keeper was on her toes to deny them.
Eagles pushed forward towards the end of the first half with a good run from Susan Cullen who was fouled on the edge of the box. Former manager Ellena Boakes set the free-kick up and beat the keeper only to be denied by the crossbar, the ball dropped to the oncoming Abi Joyce who again was denied by the excellence of the Rushmoor keeper to keep them still in the game.
Half time 0-0
Eagles came out second half unchanged and ready to grab an early goal but the game started to become stretched for the first time with Rushmoor putting pressure on the back four but never troubled the strong pairing of Millie Tinsley and Emma Webb.
A couple of changes for the Isle of Wight side and within 2 minutes of being on the pitch Georgia Dye was brought down in the box, she stepped up and slotted the Eagles in front, 1-0.
The game opened up with the Eagles on top ready to put the game to bed a through pass from Jess Green found in-form Kira Smith one one-on-one to slot home to seal the win.
Rushmoor got a consolation goal in the last 2 minutes of the game but it wasn’t enough to stop the Eagles flying into the next round.
Manager Dan Verstraeten said:
“We had a regroup from last week and the ladies worked hard at training to play the style of football we needed today and fully deserved the win.
“We showed a lot of class and composure out there against a very strong Rushmoor”.
Player of the Match – Millie Tinsley