Fulham eased through to the Third Round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup after a dominant first half display against Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium. The London side are unbeaten at the top of National League Division One South East this season, and carried their good form into this tie with Rovers, currently lying third in Division One South West.
It took just 7 minutes for Fulham to lead the contest, when Ellie Olds’ cross from the right wing was deflected past the Rovers keeper under pressure from Kayleigh Stead. Roles were reversed for the second when Stead’s pull-back found Olds near the penalty spot and she struck a composed finish into the bottom right corner of the net. Their lead was extended to three goals on the stroke of half-time. Another cross from the right, this time from Jade Bradley, was also deflected into the net.
Rovers were able to pull a goal back shortly after the break when Meg Jarvis pounced on a loose pass in the Fulham defence and struck an accurate shot past their keeper, Frankie Gibbs. The second half was a more even contest, but all the damage had been done in the first half. Fulham will now travel to Dorset to face AFC Bournemouth in the Third Round.
We were fortunate to have photographer Ian Middlebrook on hand to capture the action.
