Despite losing to Mansfield Town in the League Cup, it’s been a reasonably decent season on the field for Emma Dennis and her Nottingham Trent University charges.
A fourth place finish in the East Midlands Women’s Regional Football League Division One Central, and opposition for Loughborough Foxes Vixens in the Plate final, is just reward for all their hard work, even if the majority of the games in which they’ve played this season has been against local opposition.
However, you can only beat what is put is put in front of you, and that’s what NTU have done; following their League Cup exit against Mansfield, the University side proceeded to see off Notts County Development on penalties, then SJR Worksop 1-0, in what was two, tight encounters, before putting Sherwood to the sword, 5-1, in the semi-finals.
Totalling them up, NTU have opposed eight, fellow Nottinghamshire clubs, in all competitions, this past season, adding to their cup runs opposing that of Mansfield Hosiery Mills, and West Bridgford Colts, in the league, as well as Keyworth United (walkover) and Nottingham Forest Reserves, in the County Cup.
“The players, they’ve been up for both the league, and for cup games, this season,” began Emma Dennis, formerly of Nottingham Forest RTCs.
“Yes, we’re disappointed not have finished top, but a few injuries have hindered us.
“In the (League) Cup, Mansfield, it was a tight game, despite the result, then Notts Devs, in the (League) Plate, which was my first game here, we missed quite a few chances in that, it just didn’t happen for us and their ‘keeper played a really good game.
“We’ve played really well though, throughout the season, just not been putting away our chances really.”
A season which began with a seven-goal thriller away to West Bridgford Colts, Charlotte Gardiner-Banks netting twice in 4-3 loss, has seen a number of high-scoring games involving the University side.
Dennis alluded to a couple of tough outings for the club, with results going either way for the Nottinghamshire side, the loss to Dronfield Town, and the win over Asfordby Amateurs particular standouts.
The league season, it would finish in early April, with a 3-3 draw in a local clash with Notts County Devs, the Uni coming from two down at the break to earn a share of the spoils as Olivia Hembrough, Alice Rogers, and Ruby Cole netted.
“Dronfield at home was a really tough one, and was the first league game back after the Christmas break,” continued the NTU Coach.
“I guess there was a little after-effects of the festivities still lingering there.
“Asfordby though, that was a really good game, despite the loss of Mia Pinkham through injury (NTU won 7-2 away, Bailey Sipos with three and Alice Rogers two).
“Our players did really well to carry on after that, and dealt with the situation really well.”
Now though, it’s been a number of weeks since they last played in an EMWRFL game, the league having finished at the start of April.
Dennis, alongside her coaching staff, have been preparing the players for one last roll of the dice, in the hope that they can pick up some silverware to finish the season off with.
That will see them oppose Loughborough Foxes Vixens, Dennis adding: “We’re excited about the game and really looking forward to it.
“Everyone here wants to play, and put on a performance, and we’ve just been doing what can in order to keep active.
“We’ve had a couple of practice matches, kept themselves going, and in the right mind-set so they’ll be ready come the finals day.”
Nottingham Trent University oppose Loughborough Foxes Vixens in the EMWRFL League Plate this Sunday 21 May, at Eagle Valley, Arnold (cup finals day will see the Plate final kick-off at 11:00, followed by the Cup final at 15:00, followed by the EMWRFL Presentation Evening on the night).
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @NTUsport the Nottingham Trent University women’s football team.