It’s been a while since I last watched Durham Women. It’s been a while since they were last at home! It’s almost three months since they hosted London Bees at New Ferens Park. Having missed the Continental Cup tie against Sunderland as Easington Colliery were at home, I should be at every home game for the remainder of the season. And, I’m looking at possibly doing Doncaster Rovers Belles away too. This was one of two choices today but it was the obvious choice. The other game I could have done was Sunderland Ladies vs Brighouse Town Ladies but this game was much easier for me to get to and it was cheaper seeming as though I’ve got a season ticket! Mind, Sunderland finished 13-0 so I kind of wish I had gone there.

Match report:

Durham come from behind to book FA Women’s Cup last 16 spot

Durham Women came from behind to book a spot in the last 16 of the FA Women’s Cup on Sunday afternoon with a 2-1 win over Sheffield FC Ladies.

Melissa Johnson fired the visitors into a 48th minute lead but goals from Beth Hepple and Sarah Robson ensured the Wildcats would progress.

Helen Alderson made her 50th appearance for the Wildcats, while there was a place on the bench for Grace McCatty.

Durham started well and after a couple of half chances that were blocked, a Beth Hepple corner picked out Abi Cottam but she failed to guide her free header on target.

Cottam and Kathryn Hill both forced saves from Danielle Gibbons, before Rhema Lord-Mears dragged wide with Sheffield’s first opportunity.

In the 21st minute, Lord-Mears almost broke the deadlock. The former Manchester City youngster burst down the left before drilling a low effort across the face of goal but it just evaded the far corner.

A minute later, Durham thought they had taken the lead. Free-flowing football from the Wildcats saw Hepple find Hill and Cottam rifled home Hill’s cross only to be ruled offside.

In an end-to-end first half, Sheffield’s Sophie Jones played a quick one-two with Melissa Johnson but Alderson’s fine save prevented Jones.

Hepple forced a fine save from Gibbons with just shy of half an hour played, while Zoe Ness headed narrowly over two minutes later.

Durham had another goal ruled out for offside 10 minutes before the break. Jordan Atkinson wriggled a way through and dug out a shot which found the far corner but Robson was judged to have been interfering with play.

The second half wasn’t even three minutes old when Sheffield broke the deadlock. A corner was cleared as far as Emma Johnson and she drilled the ball back into the penalty area where Melissa Johnson’s poked effort found the bottom corner.

Durham responded well to falling behind with chances falling the way of both Ness and Cottam.

Seconds before the hour mark, Durham pulled level. Hill’s throw picked out Cottam and the West Bromwich Albion forward found room to find Ness. Ness took a touch before a delicate pass played in Hepple and she finished with confidence.

Only a minute after pulling level, Cottam almost put Durham ahead. Ness’ good work found herself on the byline and the Scotland international pulled the ball back to Cottam but her effort was saved by Gibbons.

A superb run by substitute Emily Roberts almost put the Wildcats ahead in the 69th minute. After beating numerous defenders, the former Doncaster Rovers Belles forward cut in before curling narrowly wide of the far corner.

Although Sheffield were looking dangerous, Durham deservedly took the lead in the 73rd minute. More good football from the Wildcats saw Roberts cross to find Hepple and her first time flick played Robson in and she finished well.

Five minutes later, Durham had a great chance to double their lead as Roberts was fouled by Katie Anderson in the penalty area. Hepple took responsibility of the resulting penalty but Gibbons pushed the ball to safety.

Anderson cleared a Robson effort off the line in the 83rd minute but Durham wouldn’t be left to rue on missed chances as they booked a spot in the last 16.

Full-time: Durham Women 2-1 Sheffield FC Ladies

Next up for me is probably Ryhope CW vs Ashington on Tuesday night.

Durham Women: Alderson, Hill (McCatty, 85′), Johnson, Salicki, Wilson (c), Robson, Worthington, Hepple, Cottam (Roberts, 65′), Ness, Atkinson (Dalgliesh, 56′)

Unused subs: Borthwick, Briggs

Sheffield FC Ladies: Gibbons, Jackson, McCue, Cox, Anderson, Emma Johnson (c), Jones, Melissa Johnson (Donoghue, 81′), Dixon (Hartley, 65′), Kemp, Lord-Mears

Admission: £5 adults, £2 concessions

Programme: 50p (including teamsheet)

Attendance: 244

Referee: Steve Lennon