Colchester United Women were left disappointed when Hertford Town secured a 2-1 victory after extra time in a closely fought League Cup encounter. Despite a number of promising opportunities in the first half and a second-half wonder strike from winger Emily Ager to balance the scales, an extra-time clincher prevented the U’s from progressing further in the tournament.
The U’s made the brighter start and dominated possession during the opening stages, creating a number of opportunities as they looked to take control of the contest.
Aoife McGinley was first to threaten with an effort inside the opening three minutes, before debutante Tori St Rose linked up with Lily Tilyard two minutes later. St Rose’s pass found Tilyard, who unleashed a firm strike that tested the Hertford goalkeeper.
A high defensive line, good use of the full width of the pitch and a willingness to switch play helped the U’s build promising attacks, with positive forward supplies keeping Hertford under pressure.
St Rose was at the heart of much of the U’s early attacking play, and in the eighth minute she did brilliantly to keep a through ball in on the wing before delivering a dangerous cross towards Tilyard. The visitors’ goalkeeper read the danger well, however, getting across to deny the threat.
Two minutes later, St Rose went for goal herself with a strong strike, before another promising move in the 13th minute, squaring to Billie-Jo Williams to allow a shot at goal that went just wide of the mark.
The U’s continued to look the more threatening side, although Hertford produced a reminder of their own attacking threat in the 22nd minute. A dangerous ball was delivered towards the back post, with the visitors producing an excellent volley, only for Billie-Jo Williams to throw herself in the way and produce a brilliant block to deny what looked certain to be a goal.
Just a minute later, the U’s were called upon defensively again. With a foul appeal going unanswered, Hertford got a shot away towards Lottie Behan, but the U’s goalkeeper produced an outstanding save to divert the effort past the post.
Colchester continued to work hard to contain the visitors, with Georgia Young doing particularly well in the 28th minute to deal with a potential Hertford break. Behan then played her part once again, closing down the angle brilliantly to deny the forward a goalscoring opportunity. Layla Russell also produced a solid defensive display, particularly when tasked with marking her winger. Russell stayed tight to her opponent throughout, working hard to limit the space available and helping the U’s deal with Hertford’s attempts to progress down the flank.
At the other end, Lindsey Morgan provided an aerial supply for Tilyard in the 29th minute, with Tilyard getting a shot away at the goalkeeper. Gracie-Jayne Angus and Brooke Wright were also prominent in the U’s work rate, both showing plenty of physicality and determination when competing for possession. Their ability to hold off challenges, win the ball and then look to supply forward play helped maintain the U’s momentum as Colchester continued to look for an opening.
Six minutes before the break, Brooke Wright sent a ball towards Morgan, who was brought down as the U’s continued to press for the breakthrough, while another effort followed as Colchester maintained the advantage for large periods of the opening half.
Hertford emerged from the interval with greater urgency, pushing their defensive line higher and bringing increased physicality to their play.
The change in approach brought an early reward, with a Hertford forward beating the U’s to the ball in the 48th minute before unleashing a long-range effort which found the net.
The goal unsettled the U’s, with Hertford suddenly playing with the bit between their teeth and looking to make their spell of pressure count.
Colchester survived another scare when a threatening ball was sent across the box, with the Hertford attack unable to make the final connection.
The U’s responded with a change in personnel in the 62nd minute, as Emily Ager entered the action and immediately made an impact by intercepting a supply on the right wing and releasing a top corner finish that the keeper couldn’t keep out of the net. The equaliser gave Colchester renewed belief, and the U’s continued to search for the goal that would put them back in front.
In the 77th minute, Ager nodded the ball on for Morgan, who tried her luck from distance. The effort did not find the net, but it demonstrated the U’s determination to push forward and find a winner.
Hertford continued to pose a threat, with another dangerous ball sent across the Colchester box in the 82nd minute. Good defending by Young ensured the danger was dealt with, and neither side could find the decisive goal before the end of normal time.
With the scores level at 1-1 after 90 minutes, the tie went into extra time.
Hertford started the additional period with renewed energy, with an early effort grazing the crossbar.
The visitors then enjoyed a succession of corners, one of which looked destined for the net before Ager produced a vital clearance off the line to keep the U’s level.
Colchester responded with a strong spell of attacking pressure towards the end of the first period of extra time, bringing both teams into the final 15 minutes on an even footing.
The U’s came out strongly again, with Keisha Amoah getting an effort away in the opening seconds of the final period.
Six minutes later, Karys Paton sent a long ball forward for Amoah, who found Tilyard. The U’s forward managed to get her shot away, but it drifted narrowly wide.
Two minutes later, Hertford found the decisive moment. A neat through ball allowed the visitors’ forward to break between the U’s defenders before calmly finishing beyond Behan to restore Hertford’s advantage.
Colchester continued to search for a response and produced some encouraging attacking moves in the closing stages, but time ultimately ran out.
The 2-1 extra-time defeat brings the U’s League Cup campaign to an end, although the result does mean Colchester United Women will now compete for the Plate which they lifted last season.
The U’s return to FA Cup action next week where they will face MK Dons.
Colchester United Women: Lottie Behan, Georgia Young, Layla Russell, Aoife McGinley, Lindsey Morgan, Brooke Wright, Gracie-Jayne Angus, Bethany Mills, Lily Tilyard, Billie-Jo Williams, Tori St Rose