Open Cup Final
Vale of Evesham 3G Pitch (Evesham United FC)
Sunday 11th May 2025
On a gloriously warm sunny May afternoon Leamington Ladies travelled to Worcestershire to face Tamworth based Coton Green Ladies on the artificial pitch behind Evesham United’s stadium. There were two other County Cup finals taking place on the main stadium pitch during the afternoon, but this game was well attended by supporters of both sides.
Leamington were looking to bounce back after missing the chance to clinch the Birmingham County Women’s League Premier Division title after falling to defeat at home to nearest challengers Stourbridge Standard on Wednesday evening. Their destiny remains in their own hands on that front, but today was all about seeing if they could claim a second cup win in consecutive seasons.
The opening fifteen minutes passed without any real incident, before Coton Green opened the scoring in bizarre fashion, as a right wing corner sailed through a crowded penalty area and nestled in the far corner of the Brakes goal without anyone else getting a touch on the ball.
After Coton Green were forced into an early substitution after a defender went down off the ball following a free kick and was unable to continue, there was a sniff of a chance for Leamington as a dangerous ball was played in from the left, but it was just over the head of Naomi Morgan.
A penalty shout was waved away by Referee Alistair Smith, who remained in good natured control of this game throughout. He was forced to order a drop ball three times during the 90 minutes due to the ball striking the metal line that crossed above the playing surface for when the pitch is sectioned off, which led to some confusion among those watching on initially, as the line was not particularly visible in the bright sunshine.
Brakes went close twice before the half time whistle, first from a Katie O’Brien header from a right wing corner by Morgan, who then went even closer as she was played in on goal but fired wide from the edge of the box.
An early second half Coton Green shot landed on the roof of the sports pavilion behind the goal, but the bulk of the attacking in this half came at the other end as Leamington, galvanised by personnel and tactical changes, began to turn the screw. Megan Smirles was one of the stand out performers, and capitalised on hesitant defending on the right to get the ball across to substitute Ella Ashley, who was just unable to get hold of the ball to get a shot off.
Smirles then halted a Coton Green attack on halfway before playing a fine ball forward for Morgan, who placed her shot wide.
A header was glanced well wide from a left wing corner at the other end before a purposeful attack started by Linda Turner striding out of defence ended with Morgan turning and crashing a powerful drive against the crossbar.
The overhead wire being struck for a third time in the game inadvertently aided Leamington in scoring their leveller just past the hour mark, as following the drop ball Katie O’Brien found Morgan with a fine through ball, and the Ladies’ number 9 swivelling to volley a great strike into the net.
Morgan fired just wide again soon after, while Turner drilled a long range free kick into the arms of the goalkeeper.
With ten minutes to go Leamington grabbed the all important third goal when Morgan lashed a high cross-shot in from the left that dropped down towards goal, with the keeper only able to help the ball into the net.
There was a chance for a hat trick goal when Smirles drove a pinpoint cross onto the head of Morgan, but with the pace on the ball she was unable to direct it on target.
A long kick forward by Brakes keeper Alix O’Donnell saw Morgan head on for Ashley, but the Coton Green keeper met the ball inches ahead of her. However, with five minutes to go Smirles played a great ball through for Ashley to run onto and slot low past the goalkeeper to give Leamington a two goal cushion.
The substitute then grabbed her second of the game with three minutes remaining as Morgan helped a big clearance on, and with defenders hesitating, Ashley nipped in to fire home and cap a fine second half display.
The Ladies have five games remaining of their league season, and remain in pole position to clinch a league and cup double.
Leamington: 1 Alix O’Donnell, 5 Katie O’Brien, 4 Linda Turner, 11 Megan Smirles, 3 Lauryn Farmer, 15 Chloe Stallwood, 6 Elle York, 8 Georgie Roebuck ©, 9 Naomi Morgan, 7 Molly Noble, 16 Georgia Wilson.
Substitutes: Leonie Hill, Ella Ashley, Kiera Sandhu, Kimberley Maddison-Connor, Ella Gray.
Referee: Mr Alistair Smith
Assistant Referees: Mr Benjamin Kular & Mr Graham Flavell
