Hashtag United defeated Newcastle United 2-1 in the FA Women’s National League Cup Final at Kenilworth Road, watched by a crowd of 3,719.
The Southern Premier Division title-chasers fell behind to the clear favourites for the Northern Premier crown but swiftly equalised.
The unfortunate Malika Apindia turned a Newcastle cross into her own net, before Hashtag’s Valentine Pursey put over a cross which was volleyed home by West Ham loanee Macey Nicholls.
Hashtag goalkeeper Frankie Angel saved well from Jasmine McQuade and Katie Barker early in the second half, Courtney Lumley made a crucial block to deny Newcastle’s Georgia Gibson.
Sammy Rowland forced Grace Donnelly to get down and make the save on a Hashtag breakaway move, then with 18 minutes remaining the Essex side took the lead.
Rowland battled hard to get to the byline and play the cut-back, which was stabbed by substitute Phoebe Williams into the empty net.
PHOEBE WILLIAMS 🤯🤯@hashtagutdwomen 2-1 @NUFCWomen #FAWNL | #StartOfSomething pic.twitter.com/LTHPgZM7hw
— FA Women’s National League (@FAWNL) March 23, 2024
Into the last two minutes of the ninety and Angel parried an effort from Tyler Dodds, with Paige Bailey-Gayle thwarted by Wiktoria Fronc as she was about to net the rebound.
