Croydon WFC 1 (1) – 1 (4) Chislehurst Glebe Ladies

        46’ Nyalay Lyew-Sang

It was a disappointing end to Croydon’s FA Cup hopes as they found themselves on the losing side of a penalty shootout in the first qualifying round.

The Trams walk out at the Arena for their FA Cup game.

Croydon had started well, keeping possession and stifling chances from Chislehurst Glebe. However, with 15 minutes gone, a mix-up at the back saw Glebe able to put the ball past the oncoming Croydon keeper Eme Blyth, and take the lead.

Croydon nearly responded shortly after, when striker Tyreka Hart-Dolphy rounded the Glebe ‘keeper but her shot could only find the side netting, keeping the score 0-1 at half time.

Tyreka Hart-Dophy goes for goal.

Croydon came out refreshed in the second half and levelled the scoreline almost instantly, with Nyalay Lyew-Sang scoring on her Croydon debut.

 Celebrations as Nyalay Lyew-Sang draws Croydon level.

There were chances on both sides, with Croydon keeper Eme Blyth making several good saves and Croydon nearly going ahead through multiple efforts by Aoife Herbert. A shot from newcomer Danielle Smith went agonisingly wide of the goal, leaving the game 1-1 at the end of the 90 minutes and taking us straight to penalties.

Aoife Herbert looks for Croydon's second.

Danielle Smith's second-half shot goes just wide.

This was familiar territory for the Trams who have seen each of their previous FA Cup first round games end in a penalty shootout. Sadly, this time it was not to be for Croydon; Glebe finished as victors, scoring 4 of their penalties to Croydon’s one.

Another penalty shootout for the Trams.

The Trams’ attention turns now to the South East Counties league, with a visit to Merstham FC up first on Sunday 14 September.

Player of the match: Aoife Herbert

All Images © Pete Bowell 2025.