Darts Through to FA Cup First Round After Penalty Shootout Victory Over QPR!

Match Report: Adobe Women’s FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round, played on Sunday 5th October 2025.

Darts Women were back on home soil following a fine display last weekend against Saltdean United. A place in the first round of the FA Cup was up for grabs as the team welcomed QPR FC Women in the third round of qualifying.

The visitors began the game brightly and created the first clear cut chance early on. In the 11th minute, a free kick from the visitors found forward Jessica Leach in the box. The header went wide of the target and the game remained goalless.

The home side reacted well to the early pressure from QPR and got the opening goal of the game. In the 16th minute, Leen Ekwo went through on goal, rounded the keeper and fired home for the opening goal of the cup tie.

Darts continued to create the better chances as the half went on and went close again minutes before the break. In the 36th minute, a well-worked corner from the home side saw an Abbey Davies cross find Amina Hanif at the back post. The Darts forward headed the chance just wide of the QPR goal.

QPR saw the better of the early exchanges in the second half and drew level on the hour mark. In the 60th minute, a shot from QPR forward, Melis Mehmet deflected off Darts defender Ellie Dolby into the goal and the visitors were level.

As the half wore on, both sides created several half chances, but ultimately nobody could gain the upper hand in this cup tie and it was to be settled with a penalty shootout.

Gabby Howell stepped up first for the home side and slotted the ball past keeper Kenny Clarke. QPR defender Lilly Wellesley-Davies saw her penalty saved superbly by Darts keeper Jade Charlton. Abbey Davies stepped up next and calmly converted for the home side to extend the advantage. QPR forward Grace Stanley saw her penalty come crashing back off the woodwork.

Georgie Davis was next up for the home side and made no mistake from 12yds to all but seal the Darts place in the next round. QPR midfielder Jo Blodgett stepped up and scored for the visitors. The game winning moment came after Mya Lewis-Powell stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to send the Darts through to the next round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.

FT Dartford FC Women 1-1 Queens Park Rangers FC Women. (4-1 pens)

Darts Women through to the first round of the FA Cup after a shootout victory against QPR FC Women. A big shoutout to the fans for creating a fantastic atmosphere throughout the game.

We will see you all back at Princes Park on Sunday 19th October, for the home game against Sport London E Benfica

Team: Jade Charlton, Abbey Davies, Lizzie Adams, Shauni Griffiths, Leen Ekwo, Paris Smith, Xayla-Rae Alberts, Gabby Howell, Ellie Dolby, Amina Hanif, Mercedes Bromfield.

Subs: Harriet Kwok (GK), Georgie Davis, Mya Lewis-Powell, Rochelle Mayne, Leila Awan.

Connor Brennan