A slightly wet afternoon at Greenwich Avenue was the venue for the quarter finals of the Nottingham County Cup, where the visiting team was Retford FC. After a tense penalty shootout against Nottingham Trent University in the round prior, the Amberettes hoped to make today’s win much more comfortable. The squad saw four changes from the previous league defeat against Ilkeston Town, with keeper Kaci Riley, Kayleigh Downes, Zoe Mayrick and Georgia Gladwin in the starting 11.

Basford started as the aggressors, winning the ball in several dangerous areas including several dangerous corners. Izzy Sullivan hit the post from range early on a goal seemed inevitable, but it eventually came first to the away team, after a misplaced ball from a throw in resulted in a goal against the run of play in the 14th minute.

The Amberettes hit the post again from a header almost immediately after the reset as both teams continued to press. The offside flag repeatedly stopped Phoebe Roe from being through on goal on multiple occasions and Basford came tantalisingly close to an equaliser again and again, with yet another shot off the post. The eventual breakthrough came from an audiacious effort from Sullivan in the 27th minute as she curled the ball into the top corner from 20 yards out. With confidence restored, Sullivan had another great chance in the 30th minute but decided to cut back in the box, however as the keeper parried, Maisie Plumb had an easy tap in to quickly turn the game around for the home side in just three minutes.

Pressure mounted for Retford as another goal looked likely before the interval, but a couple of pivotal saves from the Retford keeper prevented a third, and it remained 2-1 at the half.

Several early mistakes from the Retford keeper gave Basford early chances to extend the lead but none were taken, which eventually came back to haunt them as a scramble following a dangerous set piece resulted in a 50th minute equaliser. As the home team looked for a way back in front, it was inevitably Sullivan again who provided the pivotal moment, curling from 25 yards out at the other end this time, and once again beating the keeper from long range spectacularly to get the Amberettes back in front.

Chances flooded in as Laura Porritt caused problems down the wing and Phoebe Roe continued to be played in, but no final product came. Despite conceding a dangerous free kick in the 92nd minute, Basford held onto their 3-2 lead and progressed to the semi-finals.

SQUAD: Kaci Riley, Keeley Sanderson (c), Libbi Mancienne, Kayleigh Downes, Zoe Meyrick, Chloe Barkes, Maisie Plumb, Laura Porritt, Izzy Sullivan, Phoebe Roe, Georgia Gladwin. SUBS: Porter, Butler, Butcher, McFarlane, Crawford.

We are next back in action on Sunday the 3rd of December when we host Chesterfield Ladies FC in the league.