The 2023 Nottinghamshire FA Women’s County Cup final will be contested between two sides from the East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League Premier Division, Mansfield Town, and Notts County.
Andi Bell’s Mansfield side saw off the tough challenge of FA Women’s National League Midlands Reserves Division leaders, Nottingham Forest Reserves, 5-3 on penalties, following a goalless draw, whilst Adam Dunleavy’s County, romped to victory when away to Notts Girls & Ladies Seniors 1 outfit, Retford.
In the former of the two semis, Mansfield versus Forest, it was a repeat of last seasons’ final, albeit with a completely different Forest side, Sarah Richardson’s Reserves competing this time around.
Goalless for the entire ninety minutes, it would be a battle that would eventually be settled from twelve yards out, and with it, only nine penalties, perhaps surprisingly, were taken; Andi Bell (manager), Tia McDonagh, Devonn Cousins, Vanessa Kinnerley (goalkeeper), and Georgina Beckwith were all successful for the Stags, whilst Summa Betts, Emily Jacobs, and Isabella Hodson replied for the Reds’ second string, before Olivia Edwards sent her spot kick, over Kinnerley’s crossbar.
Nottingham Forest Reserves – Alicia Grimmond, Libby Bartlett, Olivia Standeven, Poppy Bayman, Jessica Melrose, Chelsea Bailey, Olivia Edwards, Emily Jacobs, Isabella Hodson, Takiah Burnett, Jessica Waplington (subs – Laura Dexter, Brogan Pugh, Summa Betts, Mia Chiarizia, Evie Quinn)
Mansfield Town – Vanessa Kinnerley, Maia Taylor, Alaya Price, Chloe Hutsby, Monica Bowley, Georgina Beckwith, Gabriella Foulkes, Grace Shipman, Jesika Timson, Tia McDonagh, Mathilda Evans (subs – Andi Bell, Devonn Cousins, Victoria Chincharo, Jessica Parker, Georgia Gladwin)
The other semi-final, it was somewhat more decisive, well eventually anyway.
Retford, of the Notts Girls & Ladies League, conceded a penalty straight from kick-off, which Shoniqua Barnes dispatched for a first minute lead, however, that’s where the scoring ended, for the first period at least.
Upon the restart, visitors Notts County continued to apply the pressure, which paid off, emphatically, substitute Amy Wells, with a fierce free-kick, opened up the floodgates just before the hour mark, and, from thereon, it was one-way traffic.
Molly Boultbee added the third with a little over twenty remaining before three further, second half subs, Mollie Crump Nikki Emery, and Summer Gayle, wrapped up the scoring, the latter of whom crashed home two in a minute to add the gloss to the finale.
Meanwhile, several Notts sides were in action in the EMWRFL, Arnold Eagles and Basford United both earning a point on the road, in the Premier Division, the former drawing 2-2 at Lincoln United, the latter, 1-1 at Oughtibridge War Memorial.
There wasn’t much luck in Division One Central though, Sherwood crashing to a 7-2 loss away to Ilkeston Town, and West Bridgford Colts suffered a narrow, 2-1 defeat, at home to Dronfield Town.
As for the Notts Girls & Ladies League, second place Mansfield Town Development kept up pace at the top of the table with a comfortable, 4-1 win, at home to University of Nottingham IV, Arnold Eagles Flyers won 4-0 away to Nottingham Trent University, and the mid-table battle between Radcliffe Olympic and Sports Gateway Hucknall, went in favour of the hosts, they also claiming a 4-0 win.
Update cups, concerning Nottinghamshire clubs (in bold) is as follows –
FA WOMEN’S NATIONAL LEAGUE, LEAGUE CUP FINAL
Nottingham Forest vs. Watford (to be played 23 April, at Pirelli Stadium, Burton)
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE FA WOMEN’S COUNTY CUP FINAL
Mansfield Town vs. Notts County (tbc)
EAST MIDLANDS WOMEN’S REGIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE, LEAGUE CUP FINAL
Arnold Eagles vs. Lincoln United (to be played 21 May, venue tbc)
EAST MIDLANDS WOMEN’S REGIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE, LEAGUE PLATE FINAL
Nottingham Trent University vs. Loughborough Foxes Vixens (to be played 21 May, venue tbc)
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @NCFC_Women Shoniqua Barnes nets for Notts County.
