Above: Millwall team celebrating Chapman’s equaliser Photo: Myles Thornton
Millwall Lionesses came from behind to draw 1-1 with Sutton United who are on a run of 6 losses, and the Lionesses come off the back of an undeserved 3-2 defeat to Dartford in the league cup last week.
Millwall co-managers Alex Russell and Adam Rowland made 3 changes to the side who were narrowly defeated by Dartford the previous week, Emma Whitter, Chloe Burr and Jordan Butler dropped out of the squad and were replaced by Ciara Watling, Emel Huseyin and Sharna Giordani.
It was a pretty dull first half with hardly any action, both teams playing the ball around but neither side having clear-cut chances to break the deadlock before the break.
Once the second half got underway, both Millwall and Sutton had more opportunities to open up the game, but again, not finishing the few chances they had created.
Maizi Garwood and Shay Bennett came on at 57 minutes, replacing Ella Bailey and Liv McGregor. Then, Shannan Drewe put a fantastic ball into the box from a corner, but it didn’t find any Millwall player and went behind for a Sutton United goal kick.
Maisie Joyce and Sharna Giordani then came on for Northern Ireland international Ciara Watling and American talent Madison Grandys.
Sutton took the lead with 10 minutes to go after Jaz Backhurst fired home and the players and fans probably began to believe the three points would be going back to SM1.
However, Millwall’s Sophie Chapman had other ideas, Drewe teased a great delivery from a free kick, Sutton keeper Zoe McNulty couldn’t hold onto her save and after a ricochet in the area, Chapman got a shot away to draw the lionesses level.
There were chances at both ends after the equalising goal but like the first half and most of the second half, neither side showed their finishing touch.
Millwall travel to National League Division One South East side AFC Wimbledon in the quarter-finals of the capital cup next Sunday with Sutton United playing host to league leaders Dartford.
Millwall: Wiggins, Seely (C), Huseyin, Bailey, Chapman, Payne, McGregor, Watling, Grandys, Napper, Drewe. Subs: Jones, Garwood, Joyce, Bennett, Giordani.
Scorer: Chapman 84′
Sutton United: McNulty, Modak (C), Talbut-Smith, South, Malcolm, Measures, Backhurst, Buckmire, Bussey, Thomas, Savage. Subs: Cutler, Tyrer, France-Creaser, Spear, Humpphries.
Scorer: Backhurst 80′
Referee: Tom Amber
Attendance: 70
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