Summers-Mee secures important win over Northampton in FAWNL Cup
Eloise Summers-Mee’s early strike was enough for our Women’s Under-19s to secure a 1-0 win at Northampton Town and earned their spot in the next round of the FA Women’s National League Cup on Sunday afternoon.
The forward opened the scoring on just five minutes at Sixfields Stadium – her second goal in three games in all competitions – and, although there were plenty of opportunities for the remainder of the contest, it proved to be the only goal of the game but enough for our FAWNL Cup progress.
Following our 7-1 win over London Bees in our previous group phase fixture, the win takes us to six points in total in our group and are now guaranteed to have qualified for the knockout stages in either the FAWNL Cup or Plate with one group game left to play – away to Real Bedford on Sunday 28 September, 2026, who also have maximum points from their two group games so far.
Currently ahead of the Pirates on goal difference, the group winners and 10 best runner-ups progress to FAWNL Cup while the 12 remaining runners-up, plus 20 best third-place teams, advance to the Plate. It means our youngsters remain unbeaten in four games in all competitions – scoring an impressive 12 goals in that time – while keeping the Cobblers at bay for the 90 minutes saw us register our first clean sheet of the campaign.
Knowing a victory would all but guarantee our spot in the knockout stages of either the Cup or Plate competition, we made the best possible start to put nerves at ease early on as we found the breakthrough on five minutes. Evie Northwood’s cross from the right was met by Summers-Mee, whose header initally crashed against the crossbar but Poppy Neill kept the ball alive in the box and Summers-Mee was there to then tap home from close-range.
(Photo credit: Clive Stapleton)
Rose Mylam was called into action to claim a Zoe Hillman’s dangerous free-kick into the box while, at other end, Nife Aramide had a golden opportunity to double our lead, Neill with good pace down the left-hand side before picking out Aramide in the middle, but TJ Warren recovered well to block her effort. Ruby Mace sent a low drive from distance straight into the hands of Katie McLean followed by the Cobblers’ Daisy Barritt taking aim from range, but Mylam was equal to her effort, as we went into the break with a one-goal lead.
Searching to double our advantage in the second period, we created a big chance within four minutes of the restart after a smart turn from Aramide in the middle of the park before sliding the ball through to Summers, who fired wide at the near post with her left-foot. The Cobblers began to increase the pressure and on the hour mark, they probably felt they should have had an equaliser when their forward raced behind our backline but lost their footing at a crucial moment and her effort was tame for Mylam in the end.
Mylam then produced a fingertip save on the hour mark to push an effort from distance over the bar before, on 74 minutes, we thought we netted our second of the afternoon when Rania Oukriss fired home from close range but Summers-Mee was adjudged to have been in an offside position in the build-up. We continued to push for our second goal in the closing stages, Lexi Withey sending a header narrowly wide, Oukriss striking the woodwork after a brilliant run into the box before Mace curled over the bar from the edge of the box, but Summers-Mee’s early strike proved to be the difference in the end to make it two wins out of two for our youngsters.
“Our performance was not at the standards we expect from ourselves, but we found a way to win”
Speaking after the game, coach Matt Sharman said: “It was another great opportunity to test ourselves against a senior opponent. Our performance was not at the standards we expect from ourselves, but we found a way to win the game, which is a really positive sign.
“We also secured another clean sheet, which is another important positive to take from the game. I’m really happy for the team and the result, but we all know there is more to improve. We’re looking forward to getting back into training on Tuesday and making sure we’re fully prepared and ready for Wednesday.”
Line-up
Spurs: Mylam, Northwood (Deria 68), Elmes, Bird, Bush, Mace, Aramide, Johnson (Withey 54), Hills (Abeka 86), Summers-Mee, Neill (Oukriss 54). Substitutes (not used): Bellwood.
Match data
Goals: Spurs - Summers-Mee 5.
Venue: Sixfields Stadium.
Weather: Sunny, 26 degrees.