The skipper has guided her team through four rounds of the competition to date and Saturday’s comprehensive 4-0 defeat of Crewe Vagrants at Les Quennevais has sent the Islanders marching on to the semi-finals.
| Jersey | Crewe | |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Shots | 1 |
| 5 | On target | 0 |
| 2 | Pen corners | 0 |
| 1 | (Converted) | 0 |
| 0 | Green cards | 1 |
And, following another favourable home draw – this time against City of York – Jersey appear odds-on favourites to make their first appearance in the final of the knock-out competition.
Speaking after Saturday’s win over Crewe, Henwood-Darts said: ‘We absolutely believe we can win the trophy. We’ve got the legs, we’re a young squad and we’re full of belief.’
It was as straightforward as the scoreline suggests for the Island vets on Saturday, as they brushed aside a visiting Crewe team who lacked penetration upfront. While the hosts managed to create – and convert – chances in front of goal, Crewe rarely threatened the Jersey 25, let alone Laura Besnard’s goal.
After dominating the opening exchanges, Jersey took the lead when midfielder Ciara McQuaid followed up a miscued effort from Sarah Kerley and converted the rebound with a reverse stick slap over the grounded keeper.
Goalscorer McQuaid almost doubled her team’s advantage 10 minutes later when her shot whistled just past the left post.
With ten first-half-minutes remaining, Chrissie Helmholt-Kneisel found space at the top of the Crewe circle and fired a shot towards the opposition goal. Although the visiting keeper appeared to stop the initial shot with ease, Jersey forward Tiffany Newbald snatched the ball away from her opponent and found the back of the net to double her side’s lead.
Round 1: Hailsham 0-6 Jersey
Round 2: Tulse Hill & Dulwich 1-3 Jersey
Round 3: Jersey 3-1 Sonning
Quarter-final: Jersey 4-0 Crewe Vagrants
On the rare occasion when Vagrants did penetrate the Islanders shooting circle, Besnard was quick off her line to stifle any chance and preserve Jersey’s advantage into halftime.
Aware that the next goal would be crucial, the hosts pushed on at the start of the second period and soon added their third as Sally MacDowall latched on to a Helmholt-Kneisel pass before converting with ease at the left post.
Although they were capable of competing in midfield – and had several accomplished players in their ranks – Crewe still struggled to break through Jersey’s defensive line and, as a consequence, never looked like getting back into the match.
The Islanders scored their fourth goal when Sarah Heelis netted a well-worked penalty corner, and they might have added a fifth as Newbald watched her attempt fly just wide in the dying stages.
Henwood-Darts continued: ‘From the off we tried to press them but without jumping in. We kept our structure well, perhaps we were a bit fitter than them and we worked really well as a team.
‘I was really pleased with everything we did. I think we passed it well, we didn’t panic on the ball and players moved around to give the player on the ball the option to pass.’
She added: ‘It’s the right time to be playing as well as we are, getting towards the business end of the competition and we’re now looking forward to the semi-finals.’
Jersey’s semi-final clash against City of York is scheduled to take place at Les Quennevais on the weekend of 21/22 March.
Jersey are sponsored by Brewin Dolphin.
Becky Darts (c), Laura Besnard, Lucy Aston, Yana Vibert, Zoe Smart, Tracey Vallois, Kelly Cutting, Gaby Way, Chrissie Helmholt-Kneisel, Ciara McQuaid, Sarah Heelis, Sarah Kerley, Sally MacDowall, Tiffany Newbald. Coach: Alasdair Hall.
