When Aggie Beever-Jones was growing up living a mere stones throw from Cobham Training Ground, it would have been hard to imagine that the Chelsea number 33 would don the famous blue jersey. Never mind popping up with minutes remaining in an FA Cup semi final to book her beloved blues a place at a Wembley final. And yet, in the glorious South West London sun at Kingsmeadow in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup on Saturday afternoon that is exactly what transpired.
Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-1 and will now wait till tomorrow to discover the Manchester side they will be facing at Wembley. The Halfway Line had the chance to hear from Beever-Jones after the full time whistle had blown.
‘Trusting the process’ key to late win says Beever-Jones
Liverpool took the lead against the run of play on Saturday, meaning that the pressure piled onto Chelsea. But where so many teams would wilt Chelsea showed the resolve to come back into the match and eventually, even with extra time looming, push themselves over the line. The goal scorer who got them over the line was asked, just what exactly helped Chelsea to do so on the day, she thoughtfully replied:
“I think it was trusting in the process. I think Liverpool are great side. They know how to stay in the low block made it difficult to break them down. But yeah, I’m really delighted for the win today and obviously to get to the FA Cup final is a dream.”
“I could have probably saved a few people from stressing out” jokes Beever-Jones
It has been some week for the 21 year old Cobham graduate, she scored her first goal for her country against Belgium and now, her goal has fired Chelsea to Wembley. Beever-Jones was asked what it meant to her to have sent Chelsea to Wembley.
“It means everything. For me, being a Chelsea fan and being able to help Chelsea to get to the final and scoring such a late goal in the game, it’s amazing.” Beever-Jones told the assembled media with a smile.
Beever-Jones had a number of chances in the match go begging but she persevered, even when the little things were not going her way: “I think for me, I’m looking back at it, I could have had a few earlier, and could have probably saved a few people from stressing out a little bit!” She laughed before continuing: “But no, I’m just delighted I was able to put it away.”
‘I’ve not even set foot in Wembley yet!’ laughs Wembley bound forward
Wembley holds a special place in the heart of every English football fan and Aggie Beever-Jones is no different. The Lionesses forward was asked whether she had played at the hallowed Wembley turf just yet, she smiled and laughed:
“I’ve not even set foot in Wembley yet! So hopefully, yeah, that’s the aim. Obviously it’s such an incredible stadium. I’ve been on the bench a few times, and to hopefully win the FA Cup at Wembley would be huge for us.”
Beever-Jones was keen to credit the crowd with Chelsea’s win while looking ahead to a Wembley trip, she beamed:
“I think even today, the fans giving us that final push until the end has such a massive impact. And, yeah, it’s a little push sometimes you need it in a game.”
The FA Cup final will take place on 18th May at Wembley Stadium and Chelsea will face either Manchester City or Manchester United in the showpiece event. Next up for Chelsea however is the first leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League clash against Barcelona next Sunday afternoon.
