Leyton Orient Women’s progressed into the FA Cup 1st round after an impressive 3-1 victory over Cambridge City at Mile End Stadium.
It was the visitors who started better, and in the second minute a mix up between Francesca Cagetti and Noami Ogunde gifted the chance for Emily Reed, who just fired across the goal.
Orient’s dream looked set to fail at the start of this game, with Cambridge looking the most likely winner. The O’s lacked pace, plan and strategy and were just too hesitant.
Lydia Cooper, standing in as Captain, rallied her team. Gradually the home side’s tighter passing skills got the better of a weak Cambridge.
Key
Hayley Barton was player of the match. She brought the game to life. doing her best as the key midfielder, taking the ball from Lydia Cooper and just missing the goal.
Cambridge had their moments, but their striker Grace Stanley was the only real worry for the home team. She worked hard and eventually got the ball past goalkeeper Naomi Ogunde.
It did not take Ellie Davies long to equalise with a well aimed header.
Worried Orient Manager Chris Brayford knew he had to do something to secure victory. So on came subsitute Belen Ripoll Douton. She did not disappoint, scoring brilliantly in the second half.
Breaking away
That was the turning point, witht Orient striker Sophie Le Marchand then breaking away to plunge the ball hard into the Cambridge goal, the keeper having no chance to stop it.
A good strong and consistent Orient defence kept away any danger of a fight back by the Cambridge opposition.
As a result of a deserved win, Orient will go on into the 1st round and face Tottenham Ladies, hoping for good luck in pursuit of their Wembley dream.