Gwalia United survived a monumental late fightback from Worcester City Women to snatch a dramatic 4-3 win in a seven-goal classic that had Sixways on the edge of its seat from first whistle to last in the FAWNL League Cup.
Worcester tested Gwalia early, with Imi Scourfield forcing two smart saves inside the first quarter-hour before Evie Billingsley thought she’d put the visitors ahead, only to be ruled marginally offside. The breakthrough eventually came for Gwalia on 24 minutes, Daisy Ackerman finishing off brilliant work from the tireless Bonnie Gready, who was a constant handful for the Worcester back line throughout. Katie Quick and Emma Thomas marshalled the Gwalia defence superbly in response, Thomas producing one particularly crunching challenge to snuff out a dangerous move down the left. Ackerman’s second goal was a thing of beauty as she artistically crafted a side foot finish that swerved past the Worcester City goalkeeper having been sent clear. Within two minutes, Daisy had netted her third in finishing off another clever team goal. Gwalia at this point were irresistible in their attacking and Worcester City were being hit by a Bristolian hurricane in the shape of Ackerman.
Gwalia pushed on in the second half to build what became a 3-1 cushion, but Worcester City Women – never out of it – hauled themselves back into the contest with a goal from Kaye Haggett capitalising on a Gwalia error in defence to make it 3-2. A heavy collision on the halfway line saw Katie Davies withdrawn as a precaution, replaced by Issy Newns, but the intensity barely dropped. By the 70th minute it remained 3-2 to Gwalia in what had become a breathless, end-to-end shootout, with Daisy Ackerman, again, firing narrowly over shortly after.
Energised by their goals, Worcester continued to push and were rewarded on 87 minutes when Lowri Walker levelled the game at 3-3, sparking scenes of pure chaos at Sixways. Worcester almost snatched an unlikely lead moments later, but a smart save from the Gwalia goalkeeper Haaland kept the scores level and denied what would have been a remarkable comeback.
Gwalia had the final word. Deep into stoppage time, a free-kick on the edge of the box was worked short and finished clinically to spark celebrations and complete a 4-3 win that summed up an extraordinary afternoon of football.
Bonnie Gready’s early influence, Daisy Ackerman’s clinical touches, and a resolute defensive effort from Katie Quick and Emma Thomas proved just enough to see Gwalia United over the line, but Worcester City Women’s late surge — driven by Kaye Haggett and Lowri Walker — made this one an instant classic and a fine advert for the FAWNL Cup. Gwalia now progress to the plate competition and await the draw. Last season they beat Tottenham Hotspur PGA and Brighton and Hove Albion PGA in that same competition and bowed out in the semifinals.
