The German netted her 16th, 17th and 18th goals of the campaign, as the holders clinched a 4-0 triumph at Sheffield United, continuing her remarkable goalscoring form with her sixth, seventh and eighth goal in four games.
Laura Coombs also scored her first goal for the Club in a thoroughly professional display, which booked the visitors’ place in the final four for the the fifth time in six years.
READ: Cushing | Roebuck must write her own story
WATCH: Ellie Roebuck | Made in Sheffield
TICKETS: City v Arsenal Women | Sun 2 Feb
What happened
As the reigning Champions and having enjoyed an excellent start to 2020 with two impressive wins, City lined up as favourites against the Championship high-flyers.
Fielding a strong XI, Nick Cushing’s side gained immediate control, dominating from the off, and almost opened the scoring inside a minute, when Caroline Weir smashed Georgia Stanway’s cut-back wide of the post.
Ellen White then drew the best out of Becky Flaherty in the Blades’ goal, as the shot-stopper did well to tip a low effort away, before Steph Houghton and Stanway both went close.
Bremer broke the deadlock on 38 minutes, finishing off some neat build-up play, as captain Houghton fed Keira Walsh and the midfielder played perfectly into the feet of Bremer to drill home.
The German made it two on the brink of half-time. This time Janine Beckie – Sheffield United’s nemesis with four goals against the Blades in last season’s 6-0 win en route to Conti Cup success – was the architect, whipping in a pinpoint delivery, which Bremer poked into the near post.
City continued where we left off after the break, pressing to extend our lead, and with his side well on top, Cushing handed valuable gametime to youngster Jess Park from the bench.
Coombs added the third with a beautiful curled finish and Bremer added the icing to the cake, heading home her hat-trick with virtually the final touch of the game, to cap a memorable night on a personal and collective level, as the holders march on to the last four…
Team news
Cushing made two changes to the side which defeated Everton 3-1 on Saturday evening, with White and Coombs replacing Jill Scott and Lauren Hemp.
Lifelong Sheffield United fan Ellie Roebuck took her place in goal, shielded by a backline of Demi Stokes, Gemma Bonner, Houghton and Beckie. Weir and Walsh protected the backline, employed behind Coombs and Stanway. The in-form Bremer and White led the line upfront.
Player of the Match
Having bagged a series of braces, Bremer admitted it had been frustrating not to have completed a hat-trick in previous games.
She came close at the weekend against Everton with an overhead kick which struck the bar, but finally bagged a treble in Chesterfield through sheer determination.
As Coombs said in her post-match interview, Bremer is ‘on fire’, creating a chance with almost every touch and she took her goals well once again at the Proact Stadium. She’s thoroughly enjoying her football and that is positive energy is shining through.
Next up…
City return to league action with a trip to Birmingham on Sunday 19 January (noon).
Our next home game sees reigning Champions Arsenal visit the Academy Stadium in a must-win, top-of-the-table clash on Sunday 2 February.
Tickets for all home games are on sale online or at the Etihad Stadium Ticket office.
