FA Cup History Made!!!
- coachwafc
- Aug 27
- 4 min read
On the 31st May 2026 at Wembley Stadium London, we will see the Women's FA Cup Final competed for, a competition that continues to break records year on year. In fact in the last two years the Final has been a sell out and set a world record for a women's domestic cup final with a staggering 77,390 fans in attendance.
This season has saw 538 teams be eligible and enter the prestigious competition, an increase on the previous season. This includes 4 teams representing Cumbria, with Penrith AFC, Carlisle United, GT7 Academy and right here in the west of Cumbria, Whitehaven AFC Ladies.
That very first step of dreams towards Wembley started right here at The County Ground on Sunday 24th August when the Whitehaven Senior Lionesses took on North East's, West Allotment Celtic Ladies, and for the first time in the clubs history they won their first ever FA Cup tie, winning a thrilling game 3-2 on pens after the game was drawn 2-2 at full time.
West Allotment started the better of the two teams despite there travelling, against a very young Whitehaven team who had many players missing through injury and personal commitments especially with it being a bank holiday. In fact Whitehaven fielded no less than 7 players making debuts at the tender age of 16/17 from the pathway at Whitehaven.
Although the travellers did set off the brighter, carving out a couple of real clear cut chances, Whitehaven's Georgia Irving in goal thwarted the attacks, along with a solid defensive display from Hannah Jenn's, Emmi Davidson & Molly Butler.
Whitehaven roared on by a good crowd then sent the fans wild when a great tackle in midfield by 16yr old debutant Hannah Nicholson saw her look up after winning the ball and switching a ball out to her left to powerful midfielder Aisha Sandwith who showed excellent composure to strike the ball over the oncoming keeper to make it 1-0.
The Lionesses encouraged by this mounted several further attacks, with debutant 16yr old striker Phoebe Mullen unlucky not to extend the lead after a couple of chances including a 1v1 where she narrowly missed as the keeper came out to narrow the angle and she shot wide.
The young Whitehaven team led at the break and as expected come out to a recharged and energetic West Allotment team. The pressure was absorbed by Whitehaven for around quarter of a hour, including the crossbar being struck, before a half chance was stopped by keeper Irving, but as she tried to collect the second ball it was a 50/50 with the West Allotment player who just beat Irving to the ball and won a penalty, which was converted to make it 1-1.
The Whitehaven players had to dig deep now as ten minutes later West Allotment scored a second in open play to go 2-1 up. The Lionesses looked to be out of the contest at this stage as their counterparts looked the more energised and strong. However the crowd continued to cheer the Whitehaven team on, and a raft of changes and some tactical changes seemed to freshen the Whitehaven team up and they wrestled back control of the game.
It could've been 2-2 when a ball lofted over into the area was flicked on and Amber Jackson cleverly beat the keeper and then unselfishly tried to play in her team mate who was pressured and the ball ran harmlessly out. Moments later it was striker Mullen once more for Whitehaven out on the right, she masterfully took it past the keeper, and with an empty goal to put it in, couldn't latch back onto the ball in time after knocking it past the keeper as onrushing defenders closed her down.
However the pressure told when 16yr debutant Lani Fatialofa won a midfield battle and then saw her youth team mate Hannah Nicholson making a great run out to the right, and she threaded a ball between defenders to Nicholson who only had one intention and it was to score, and she hit a thunderous shot that the keeper couldn't contain to make it 2-2.
There was a couple of chances either way in the last few moments before the final whistle went and dreaded penalties ensued. A great save from Irving in the Whitehaven goal, along with goals from Aisha Sandwith, Emmi Davidson and Amber Jackson saw the Lionesses win 3-2 with West Allotment also sending one over the bar.
First Team Coach Rob Campbell who was taking charge of his first competitive game after taking the reins over the summer said "It's been a great occasion for the club and the lasses to be able to host the Adobe Women's FA Cup game. The support we received was incredible, especially from our young supporters, many from our incredible pathway. I had to give a lot of debuts out in truth as we had nearly a dozen players missing, with injury or personal commitments on a bank holiday, so many of the players who stepped up probably weren't expecting to be called up so soon to a First Team game.
However it shows the incredible depth we have at the club, thanks to our pathway, and the lasses showed everything that we want from a Whitehaven player. They played for the badge and the supporters, showing character, resilience and togetherness and to get such a big win in their first ever game is great for their confidence.
In truth we are expecting a season of transition this year as we rebuild foundations and culture within the team after a change of players over the summer, with many stepping up two divisions to play this year, and whilst we know they'll be some difficult challenges ahead, it's great to have this day"
The Whitehaven AFC Ladies will now play Redcar Town Ladies at home, The County Ground on Sunday September 7th at 2pm.