Nottinghamshire clubs were in cup action at the weekend, in that of the East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League, League Cup Preliminary Round, two sides of which received home walkovers following withdrawals of their opponents.

Of the other clubs that were in action, Notts County Women, and Arnold Eagles both progressed, with big victories on the road, the former seeing off Loughborough Foxes Vixens Women, comfortably, 7-0, whilst the latter edged hosts Rotherham United Women, 3-2.

At Loughborough, Adam Dunleavy’s side were comfortable in their play as both Amy Wells, and substitute Shoniqua Barnes, both collected braces, County leading by three at the break with Hannah Daniel also registering in the first period.

The second half carried on in much the same vein for County, Bella Reed, and the first of Barnes’ brace coming within a minute, whilst Zoe Meyrick also added her name to the list with a little over fifteen remaining.

Afterwards Head Coach Adam Dunleavy said: “It wasn’t the win today that was so pleasing, it was more the WAY we won!

“A solid squad performance, possession, tempo, patience and quality build up play for us today!

“Really proud of the style of football we played this afternoon!”

Arnold meanwhile, they edged a five-goal thriller when in Rotherham as Abigail Newman and Amy Pollock registered for the hosts whilst Amy Gauvrit’s first-half effort was added to by efforts in the final half hour from Demi-Leigh Crofts, and, ten minutes from time, Natasha Leach.

Nottingham Forest Women Development also progressed to the next round, they coming from a goal to defeat visitors SJR of Worksop 2-1, goals coming from Olivia Steadman, and Jessica Abdy, with Derry Creighton saying after the game: “To get through to the next round of the cup is a fantastic feeling.

“We saw a buzz around the players this week in training, to see that turn into a positive result Sunday was brilliant.

“The girls had to keep going right until the very end but they carried on applying pressure.”

“At half time we asked for a reaction and that is exactly what the girls gave to us. Each one of them should be proud of their work rate and performance today.”

With SJR Worksop being eliminated from the League Cup, they were joined by Mansfield Town Ladies, who suffered defeat when home to Chesterfield Women, the visitors registering twice in the first half through Gina Camfield and Isobel Lonsdale, both Nottinghamshire sides will now contest for the League Plate.

The two sides to receive a home walkover, they would be Rise Park Ladies (against Ilkeston Town Ladies) and Sherwood Women (against Kettering Town Women) whilst the game between Leicester Road Ladies & Girls, and Nottingham Trent University Women, was abandoned.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @NCFC_Women another victory for Notts County Women who are all smiles right now.