maybe_next_year

Substituting a substitute who came on for a substitute?

Need a piss at half time but there's a massive queue for the gents? Nee worries, just pop in the pitch-side pool I mean who has ever wanted to go swimming in a football stadium.

CB, RW, LB. Getting 2 out of 3 of those with real quality would make a massive difference next year.

All the booing etc seemed jovial and very much in jest around me. Only surprise was how many fans left as soon as the final whistle went, rather than stay and applaud the players. Despite their poor performance yesterday, you'd think that's the least they deserve after getting to a cup final in the first place.

Just got back and despite the result, it definitely made me want to make the effort to see the lasses again. Kenilworth Road was, erm, interesting? Loved visiting it personally, but it was like travelling back in time to what (I assume) football grounds were like during the 80s. Such a bizarre choice for a women's cup final. When your trying to grow the game, why would you chose a ground that felt so old fashioned in such a dreadful town. On a weekend where their was planned engineering works between it and London too. Can't imagine its the sort of place that makes new fans to the sport want to keep coming. Shame about the performance, felt like we didn't deal with their physicality and pressure on the ball at all and never controlled possession. Silver lining for me was Cataldo, watching the streams the past few months, I wasn't convinced she offered us more than we already had. However, today I thought she was great. Composed at the back and in possession, constantly driving the ball forward effectively. She has won me over today.

That was the idea, but apparently not

First ever NUWFC game for me today, actually my first ever women's football match. Also my first NUFC game since Rafa left. Lovely to be back supporting a team in black in white in person. Howay the lasses!

Not really, they were just formed when Basildon AFC joined Hashtag United. Hashtag United are a bit odd in that their various teams are based all over south Essex really. There is a training ground on the outskirts of Basildon that is linked to Hashtag United but I think that is just the youth squads.

2-0 down now.

You just know Man City are getting Coventry in the next round.

That second goal has proper killed us, look so much more fragile.

Lascelles with time and space.... lumps it straight to a Man City player.

That is probably the best chance of the match so far.

Burn left 2 on 1 again.

Yellow card for that? What a load of shite.

Ah shite, can't do anything with a deflection that big.

Doesn't matter in the cup, it's until we've reached 32 games in the league if I remember correctly.

Thats a lovely attempted ball by Murphy. Feel like he gives us something different from our other wingers just by his willingness to place a pass/cross straight away.

Brilliant start with that clearance from Shar...

Absolute thunderblast. Been one of, if not the, best player in black and white since coming on.

I think a massively important thing is how we have/are growing the women's team. While undoubtably we've got the financial clout the other teams in the league can only dream of, we have put that money towards giving local talent the opportunity to step up by giving them professional contracts. It really feels like the club are investing in the talent already available, from Becky Langlely down. It really helps grow that connection between fans and the team. The social media posts too are really on point and make it clear that (most of) the lasses are Geordies living out their dream by playing in the black and white... I mean we've even got a player called Keegan! The development team absolutely destroying their league, I hope, emphasises the point. I'd love to see us become a real force in women's football, driven by developing local talent.

I know its only been a few minutes, but Gordon looks a different player this half. Is he okay?

Think their subs may have just done that for us.

Decent video I watched on it while ago.

That goal is exactly what we've missed from Willock. Finds the space between the lines, exploits it.