A pair of Nottinghamshire clubs came within ninety minutes of representing the county in this seasons East Midlands Women’s Regional League (EMWRL, sponsored by Unison) finals, taking place this weekend at Eagle Valley, home of Arnold Town.
An extensive group stage for what was the post-season, Trevor Clifton Trophy, saw seven sides from within Nottinghamshire’s boundaries take part, Mansfield Town Ladies (League Cup) and Sherwood Women (League Plate) reaching their respective competitions final four.
Of those two sides, Mansfield, managed by Andi Bell, enjoyed the most exciting, goal-laden run to the semis, whilst Sherwood, they were seen to take the most unorthodox, yet lucky route; also involved were that of the two Notts County sides, managed by Adam Dunleavy and Thomas Hodges, Arnold Eagles, SJR Worksop, and Rise Park Ladies.
The competition kicked off on April 18, four of the seven Notts clubs drawn into the same group as Bell’s Mansfield were seen to open their campaign with a back-to-back, 4-0 victories, against Arnold Eagles at home, and Sherwood away.
Notts County Women meanwhile, managed by Dunleavey, began with a comfortable, 5-2, home win over Rise Park, Nya Chambers notching a hat-trick.
A five-goal thriller was witnessed at Loughborough on match-day two as their Students defeated County 3-2, Chambers registering a brace taking her tally to five in two games, whilst the Stagettes took their overall tally to eight before the final group games sorted out who went where.
Both Arnold Eagles and Rise Park collected what would be their only victories of the competition, both winning 2-1 at home, to Sherwood, and Loughborough, respectively; Demi-Leigh Crofts and Amy Gauvrit netted for Arnold, whilst Katie Platts and Jessica Waplington registered for Rise Park.
In order to extend what had been a crazy year all-round, the EMWRL placed the top two clubs in each group into the League Cup, and the bottom two into the League Plate knockout stages, guaranteeing four games minimum for all competing clubs.
Mansfield and Notts County both secured byes into the quarter-finals of the League Cup, whilst similar was also afforded that of Arnold, Sherwood and Rise Park in the League Plate.
The Second Round matches for Nottinghamshire clubs would see that of County fall to Chesterfield, and SJR, they enjoyed their best outing of the competition, a 2-0 home win over Lincoln Moorlands-Railway, Brooke Chapell in the first, and Ashleigh Galley the second, for the victorious hosts.
Doubling their score from the previous round, Chesterfield would be seen to dismiss Notts Development, 4-0, in the quarters, registering twice in each half, whilst Mansfield progressed on the back of a barn-storming, 4-3, extra-time victory when away to Derby County Academy as Ellie Marshall (2), Natasha Leach and Jessica Parker scored for the Stagettes, whilst there was also a brace from Iesha Rollins in response.
Meanwhile, in the Plate quarter-finals, Sherwood would beat that of SJR by the odd-goal-in-five, Emily Wragg (2) and Sophie Wilkinson for the hosts, Chappell, and Sky Hughes, replying; but there were defeats for Rise Park and Arnold, both away, to Loughborough (2-0) and Thrapston Town (1-0) respectively.
That meant only two Notts-based clubs would make last weekends’ semi-finals, overall, a draw for which saw Chesterfield versus Northampton and Mansfield against Lincoln United in the League Cup, and Oughtibridge against Sherwood and Loughborough versus Thrapston in the League Plate.
Mansfield were narrowly beaten 2-1 at home, Shannon Purdy scoring, whilst Sherwood, they found themselves on the wrong end of a 6-0 hammering, Chesterfield joining Lincoln United in the League Cup and Loughborough taking their place alongside Oughtibridge in the League Plate.
The finals of the EMWRL (sponsored by Unison) League Cup and League Plate take place this coming Sunday, 30 May, at Eagle Valley, home of Arnold Town (NG5 8PS), the League Cup kicks off at 3pm, whilst the League Plate has the earlier, 11am start.
(Please note, spectators are allowed at the finals, on a first-come-first-served basis, whilst adhering to both FA, and Government guidelines, track and trace will also be in place on the gates – opening from approx. 10:30am).
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @EMWRFL action between Mansfield Town Ladies & Lincoln United.
