Sunday gone, on a freezing cold afternoon in Eastwood, Mansfield Town Ladies were the visitors of Notts County Women Reserves, in the semi-finals of the Nottinghamshire FA Women’s County Cup competition.

A game of two halves only in terms of goals scored, this contest would see both sides go at it hammer-and-tongs, the visitors being the ones to progress to the final, following a penalty shoot-out success.

Both sides notched one apiece, the Lady Stags’ score being registered late in the first period through striker, Olivia ‘Liv’ Wheatcroft, she lifting an effort over the advancing, home ‘keeper, to open the scoring.

Talking about the goal, and the game itself, Liv (pictured in action against NCWFC Reserves, courtesy of Tim Meakin Photography) told the Nottingham Sport that; “I just got the ball, and scored; it’s always very blank really. I saw the goal and thought, I’ve got to give it a try, and luckily it went in.

“It was both very cold, and a rather tough game; we gave it all we could and came away with the win against a very good team. It was physical, but I think we did our best and got the win on penalties.”

As County’s second string proceeded to hit Stags shot-stopper, Amy Price’s crossbar, the visitors buried four of theirs to put the seal on a 4-2, shoot-out win, with Shannon Purdy, Mathilda Evans, Chloe Hutsby, and Maia Taylor, netting for Andrea Bell’s side.

For Wheatcroft however, penalties just really aren’t her thing.

“I actually went off in the last five minutes because penalties really aren’t for me,” admitted the Stags striker.

“It’s the most nerve-wracking thing ever though, watching them; I think that’s worse.

“But I’m still not going to take one,” she giggles, “but it was the best feeling ever seeing the two they hit the bar with, and I think Amy (Price) did really well, kept very composed, throughout.”

Now, it’s opposing Basford United, in the County Cup final (date and venue TBC) after they battled past a stubborn, under-strength, Arnold Eagles side.

“To face Basford, in the final, it feels like we’ve played them twenty-odd times now,” continued Wheatcroft.

“We always seem to be playing them; but I think we’ve got a good chance, we just have to go and win it.

“There’s also a few of us still with a chance of winning the league.

“We’re training really well though, and have some good games coming up, so yes, we’re in with a chance as well.

“As for me, I’m physically fit, I’ve just got to keep it up, and maybe score a few more goals along the way.”

Mansfield, currently sitting joint-third in the table, behind Chesterfield on goal-difference, with three points separating the top four sides, have trips to both Rotherham (second), and Chesterfield (third) next up, before cup games, and league finales against Basford, and back-to-back against SJR Worksop.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @Tim Meakin Liv Wheatcroft (centre) in red tussling for Mansfield v Notts County.