Gwalia United vs Bristol Rovers | Women’s FA Cup, University of South Wales Sports Park, Thursday 29th October, 19:45 KO
Bristol Rovers Women remain on the road this midweek as they face Gwalia United in the league, three days before hosting them for their FAWNL Plate fixture.
Most recently, Rovers put Abingdon United to the sword with a ruthless 6-0 away win in Oxfordshire to progress to the Second Round Proper of the FA Cup, and will travel to Moneyfields on Sunday, November 15, hoping to continue their cup journey.
Against the Yellows, a brace from Libby Davies as well as goals from Annys Turner, Nia Rees, Lilia Dempsey, and Lashai McNama gave the Gas Girls the much-needed bounce back following their disappointing 3-2 home defeat against Keynsham Town.
Sitting just one point behind Gwalia, Rovers will be aiming to take their FA Cup form into the league to claim fourth spot.
Read everything you need to know about the fixture below…
Tickets…
Tickets can be purchased on the day of the fixture, at the gate, or online here.
Men's season ticket holders gain free entry to all Women's home matches.
Opposition…
With the majority of teams having played seven league matches at this stage, Gwalia – formerly Cardiff City Ladies – impressively occupy fourth place despite having only played six.
That puts the Welsh outfit one point ahead of Rovers, but with a much superior goal difference (10). Gwalia also boast a run of form that sees them unbeaten since September 13, when they lost 2-1 at home to Moneyfields.
The week after – when Rovers defeated Moneys themselves – they began the run that’s seen them win five times and draw once across all competitions, starting with their 2-0 away triumph against Wycombe Wanderers, courtesy of first half goals from Molly Kehoe and Manon Pearce.
In the FAWNL Cup, Gwalia kept the wins coming – though they came close to being knocked out by fellow Tier Four side Worcester City. Lowri Walker’s 87th minute threatened to undo the work of former Rovers forward Daisy Ackerman, whose first-half hat-trick put her team three to the good, but substitute Isobel Newns netted in injury time to send Gwalia through in third place.
Lower level side AFC Stoneham provided little threat as they crossed the bridge, falling 6-0 in the final round of FA Cup qualifying. Like Rovers recently, Gwalia then slipped up against Keynsham, surrendering a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 as keeper Benni Haland was also dismissed.
Gwalia were straight back to it in Maidenhead, however. Pearce broke the deadlock after 20 minutes, before a leveller from the hosts saw Ackerman respond to restore the lead before half-time. With the lead in hand going into the second half, Esme Kilburn-Thompson then ensured it stayed that way with a third goal in the 69th minute.
In their latest outing, Gwalia made light work of Yate Town in the FA Cup. Emma Thomas opened the scoring after just one minute, then made it a second-half brace as Summer Evans, Ackerman, and Pearce also got themselves onto the scoresheet in the 5-0 home thrashing.
Now remaining in Wales for the first fixture against Rovers, Gwalia will be aiming to maintain their unbeaten run and hold on fourth place.
Last Season…
After a gripping relegation battle, Gwalia were ultimately relegated back to Tier Four for this season after a cruel final day outcome.
Despite going unbeaten across the season against fellow strugglers Cheltenham Town, Hashtag United, AFC Wimbledon, and Billericay Town – all of whom were fighting the drop on the final day too – Gwalia were the ones to be relegated due to their 87th-minute 2-1 loss away to Exeter City.
But in fact, the Welsh side were only separated from the Dons on goals scored, making for an agonising outcome given that a win could’ve taken them to mid-table in eighth.
