Millwall came from 2-0 down to win 6-2 in the LSE Regional League Cup thanks to substitute hat trick hero Maizie Garwood.
Photo: Sutton United Women FC
Millwall started the game on the backfoot, and after only 10 minutes, Sutton were a goal ahead through a really good strike by Holly Talbut Smith that bounced infront of the keeper and found it’s way into the back of the net.
Millwall’s play still didn’t improve though and entering the 23rd minute, Chloe Francis struck a stunning free kick to double Sutton United’s lead.
Joint managers Adam Rowland and Alex Russell made a double change on 28 minutes. Stef Paci and Maizie Garwood came on to replace midfield duo Shay Bennett and Maisie Joyce.
Millwall started to play so much better, and on 34 minutes Shannan Drewe got one back for the lionesses. She found herself with the ball just outside the area before she unleashed a beautiful shot into the top corner.
On 61 minutes, Chloe Burr came so close to drawing Millwall level from a really decent free kick but she just couldn’t bend it into the back of the net. Millwall then had a great chance to equalise when Ellen Napper was brought down in the area. Garwood stepped up and slotted home to get her first goal of the game and equalise for the lionesses.
Just like that, Millwall were ahead, substitute Garwood headed in a good cross from a corner by Drewe to get the lionesses’ third.
Heading into the final minute of the 90, Drewe put in another great cross from a corner, and it was headed in again, this time by Joyce to make it 4-2 to Millwall.
The referee added 15 minutes onto the end of an exciting game and after 8 of those Millwall added a fifth goal. Garwood got her hat trick to cap off a superb performance. It was a long range effort that found the bottom corner.
Then 2 minutes later fellow substitute Clementine Young added Millwall’s 6th. Ellen Napper worked well down the right hand side before putting a sublime ball into the area for Clementine Young who struck it into the net on her first team debut, being called up from the under 18’s side.
A fantastic second half effort from the lionesses see them head into the quarter finals of the LSE Regional League Cup where they will face Dartford away on Princes Park Stadium on Febuary 4th.
I spoke to Lionesses manager Alex Russell following the game and here is what he had to say. “I thought it was a poor start to the game. Not necessarily tactically, just the application of the girls. We looked like a team that had been off for Christmas. We didn’t really put on a display which both I and they know they can do. We got them in at HT and all of the things we spoke about during the break they came out and done and we were superb in the second half. I don’t like picking out individuals, but Maizie Garwood was sensational today and I’m delighted for Clemmie making her first team debut and being rewarded with a goal. It’s the least she deserved.
Millwall: Gmiterek, Jones, Huseyin, Bailey, Chapman, Payne (C), Napper, Joyce, Bennett, Drewe, Burr. Subs: Butler, Paci, Garwood, Young.
Sutton: McNulty, Measures, South, Modak (C), Hearn, Colepio, Cutler, Francis, Spear, Talbut Smith, Malcom. Subs: Humphries, Hooper, Savage, Frances-Creaser, Bussey.
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