Liverpool Feds 0 Curzon Ashton 5

A day to forget for the Feds when they never really played up to the level they reached in the previous round against Rochdale.

Before the game I managed to speak to people from both sides and, although Curzon are a league higher, the expectation was for a tight game. The fact that lots of the girls from both teams knew each other meant it had the feel of a local derby. The game was played at Heswall FC, a delightful venue, even if the clubhouse smelled more of paint than pies, due to the redecorating that was taking place there!

For the first time in the games I have seen in this year's competition, the game was refereed by a woman, and I for one would not like to have crossed her. One great line she had when one of the players started to protest was "I'm talking and you will be the one who is listening!"

Curzon Ashton started the stronger with one or two early chances and took a deserved lead after 11 minutes when a great move down the left was finished with a pinpoint cross headed in at the far post by Nikki Mcleod. To be honest, I don't think Feds ever really recovered from that start, although the game evened out for a while. Feds were most dangerous from set plays with their closest effort coming when a corner was cleared off the line.

The turning point of the game took place just before half time. A dangerous attack was broken up by one of the Curzon defenders, but her interception was deemed to be a back pass by the referee. From the resulting free kick there was no doubt that one of the Curzon players handled the ball in the area but no penalty was given. Shortly after, the assistant referee flagged for a free kick when the Liverpool keeper was judged to have handled the ball outside the area from a drop kick. Shelley James placed the kick perfectly in the corner to give Curzon a 2-0 halftime lead. There were one or two words between the ref and the Feds management but this, I think, was more out of frustration than malice.

The next goal was bound to be crucial and Curzon continued to press, hitting the post for the second time (the first being shortly before half time). After an hour Curzon scored again through the left winger Becky Lee who hit a long range shot into the roof of the net. At that point I felt the game was done and dusted and Curzon rubbed salt into the wound with two swift breaks resulting in neat goals from Emma Lambourne and Nikki Mcleod again.

Mark Bradshaw was pleased with his team's performance and the result and he can now look forward to a home tie (weather permitting) against Aston Villa. A final word for Feds - there is no doubt thay can play better and I'm sure they will get over this disappointment to continue to do well in the league. A special thanks to Karen 'Quinney' Quinn for all her help in keeping me up to date re postponements etc.