Late heartbreak in Women's FA Cup quarter-final

It was late heartbreak for us against Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the Women's FA Cup at Kingsmeadow on Sunday.

Having fought our way back into the tie and levelled via Eveliina Summanen's free-kick, Chelsea substitute Veerle Buurman lashed home the winner five minutes from time.

There was still a chance to level, but Oliva Holdt dragged across goal from 16 yards in the first minute of added time - and that was that.

On a positive note, Ella Morris returned to action for the first time since May, 2025 after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Martin Ho made three changes - Julie Blakstad and Eveliina Summanen came in for Molly Bartrip and Maika Hamano (ineligible) while skipper Bethany England was back up front for Olivia Holdt. As mentioned, Ella Morris returned to the matchday squad for the first time this season.

We had to weather early pressure from the home side. Lize Kop got her angles right to deny Alyssa Thompson on five minutes and then had to be alert as Lauren James' cross evaded everyone and was creeping in before she touched wide.

James pulled the strings for Chelsea - Amanda Nilden threw herself in for a key block on 19 minutes and the England international fired a yard over from the edge of the box five minutes later.

We grew into the game and had the next chances of note. A lovely build up ended with Bethany England playing a one-two with Cathinka Tandberg, only for Niamh Charles to block. Next up, Signe Gaupset left fly from 20 yards, her shot taking a slight deflection but straight at Hannah Hampton.

Chelsea broke the deadlock on 40 minutes. Keira Walsh got to the left byline and found a cross that just evaded Kop, allowing Kerr to climb highest and angle home a header off the post from close range.

We started positively in the second half - possession 74% in our favour in the first 15 minutes - and levelled during that spell. Maltilda Vinberg was bundled over by Kadeisha Buchanan on the left touchline - Summanen's free-kick deceived Hampton and floated home at the far post.

It turned into a basketball game, end-to-end for the next 10 minutes. Kop denied Kerr one-on-one, James went close again, Toko Kogo cleared Hanna Wijk's header off the line, Kop denied James again and Ellie Carpenter headed wide from six yards.

At the other end - all in this 10-minute spell - Hampton spilled Amanda Nilden's 30-yarder wide, Julie Blakstad headed wide and Tandberg almost capitalised on hesitation between Hampton and Buchanan.

We continued to defend well and looked to get forward. Chelsea had the next chance when Kop flew to her left to tip away Sandy Baltimore's shot on 78 minutes. However, Kop could do nothing about what turned out to be the decisive moment on 86 minutes. For once, we failed to clear our lines cleanly and when the loose ball fell to Buurman, she took a step forward before hitting a rocket into the top corner.

There was one last chance as Holdt drove forward from deep to the edge of the Chelsea box, rolled the ball right to Tandberg who fired across Hampton but wide of the target.

Match data

Goals: Chelsea - Kerr 40, Buurman 86. Spurs - Summanen 52.

Yellow cards: Spurs - Spence 15, Nilden 27, Tandberg 33.

Referee: Stacey Pearson.

Venue: Kingsmeadow, Kingston upon Thames.

Weather: Sunny, blue skies, 14C at kick-off.