This weekend is the final round of group matches, and plenty of teams from all three groups were still in contention to qualify for a semi-final spot, including Yeovil Town Ladies and Notts County Ladies. I explained who was still in the hunt for the semis in my previous blog entry. In Group Three, Notts County Ladies are leading the way in pole position with 10 points from 4 games played undefeated, 3 wins and a draw therefore a victory and their place in the semi-finals was assured.
Yeovil Town Ladies task was far more complex, with 7 points gathered after 4 games played with 2 wins a draw and defeat, it was still possible mathematically, would need a victory by a huge margin, plus favourable results in Sunday's matches to qualify. Still to be in contention going into the final round of group fixtures was a good achievement in itself.
4 hours 22 minutes was the estimated journey time to Yeovil Town Ladies home ground at Sherbourne Town FC. I allowed 6 hours to make the trip and needed every single minute delays galore, but will know better next time. The postcode sent me past the ground but if you look out for it on your left as leave the village you'll have no trouble spotting the banner for the club at the entrance.
A surprisingly large car park Sherbourne Town FC is a nice little ground in a picturesque setting. Good facilities a club house and refreshments. A welcoming and friendly atmosphere, a good set up. I had heard plenty of good things about the club, and like what they do on twitter, and had had this trip planned for some time.
To the match action then. There had been a down pour prior to my arrival and black clouds threatened more above, but thankfully my brolley wasn't needed (I've tried writing notes in the rain and it isn't fun). The pitch looked to be in good condition.
4 hours 22 minutes was the estimated journey time to Yeovil Town Ladies home ground at Sherbourne Town FC. I allowed 6 hours to make the trip and needed every single minute delays galore, but will know better next time. The postcode sent me past the ground but if you look out for it on your left as leave the village you'll have no trouble spotting the banner for the club at the entrance.
A surprisingly large car park Sherbourne Town FC is a nice little ground in a picturesque setting. Good facilities a club house and refreshments. A welcoming and friendly atmosphere, a good set up. I had heard plenty of good things about the club, and like what they do on twitter, and had had this trip planned for some time.
To the match action then. There had been a down pour prior to my arrival and black clouds threatened more above, but thankfully my brolley wasn't needed (I've tried writing notes in the rain and it isn't fun). The pitch looked to be in good condition.
Yeovil Town Ladies starting XI - Beth Howard, Helen Bleazard, Rachael Edwards (C), Natalie Haigh, Jade Kirby, Laura Bray, Jade Lorton-Radburn, Paige Stewart, Polly Wardle, Katie Cook, & Stacey Pearson
Notts County Ladies starting XI - Carly Telford, Amy Turner, Sophie Bradley (C), Rachel Corsie, Danielle Brogan, Sophie Walton, Desiree Scott, Katie Hoyle, Dunia Susi, Caitlin Friend & Jess Clarke.
It was the home side to kick off the tie, in there kit of white and green striped shirts, white shorts and green socks, against Notts County in their purple and yellow kit.
Have seen Notts County play a few times this season, they are very fit, with a good work ethic. There play can be direct at times but with an attack full of pace this is the best way to exploit it. Notts County were on the attack from the start, with Caitlin Friend and Dunia Susi to the left and right of Jess Clarke looking to find a way through Yeovil's defence.
The early exchanges were cagey however, Yeovil were keeping a good shape working well as a team unit to thwart Notts County. The visitors were forced into making an early substitution having to bring off their captain Sophie Bradley as she went down off the ball. Looked to be in some pain and you always worry more when something happens without visible contact. Can only hope it's not too serious and wish her a speedy recovery.
Here replacement, midfielder Katie Holtham, saw a switch in personnel with new Aussie signing Danielle Brogan moving from left back to centre back, Amy Turner coming across the pitch to left back and Sophie Walton coming out of midfield to take up duties at right back.
Attacks leading to clear chances were few in the 1st 20 minutes with Carly Telford quick off her line to deny a Yeovil through ball from reaching their stikers and at the other end Beth Howard saving well to deny a Notts County long range effort.
The visitors found a way through however pressing and probing the ball was won back in midfield, Dunia Susi manages to find a way through the Yeovil defence central to goal has a run into the box and prods it past Beth Howard before she can get down to save. Notts County take the lead 0-1.
Notts County aren't content with one goal however and are pushing the Yeovil defence back making it very difficult for them to break with any purpose. When they do get a ball forwards the numbers aren't there to trouble the Notts County defence and efforts on goal are limited to long range both going wide of goal.
Jess Clarke inside the box receives the ball from the right, lays it back to Katie Holtham on the edge of the box, she slices her effort on goal from the edge of the box wide of the mark.
Yeovil are getting most joy on the left through Laura Bray, she get's the better of her marker and gets space for a shot has a go the effort from inside the box sending the ball over the cross bar.
Notts County score a 2nd goal but it is ruled out for offside as New Zealander Katie Hoyle plays a good through ball into Jess Clarke she sends the ball past Howard but the flag is up.
Clarke is looking very dangerous, has a shot near post that Beth Howard keeps out but the ball spins loose across the goal, Katie Hoyle tries to stab it home at close range, but Yeovil have covering defenders on the line to block it spins out to Amy Turner whose effort back in goes high over the bar.
Helen Bleazard coming inside with the ball plays a good pass through to Bray out wide left, she in turn puts in a good cross, Notts County have tracked back in number however and she can't pick out a team mate.
Beth Howard produces a fine save to deny Amy Turner from scoring the effort from long range dipping as it comes in. From the corner the ball comes back out to Holtham whose effort is sent wide of the right post.
Yeovil have a break, Bray with the ball on the left has a run at goal and has support coming with her in the end doesn't know whether to shoot or cross as she is closed down her attempt is tame in the end comfortable for Telford to take.
Half time Yeovil Town Ladies 0-1 Notts County Ladies
Going into the break with a 1-0 lead Notts County had the goal they needed to ensure qualification for the semi-finals, had created a host of other chances. Yeovil had worked hard to keep the scoreline down at with just one goal in it were still in the tie they would need more going forwards though if they wanted to pull the tie level.
As it was it was Notts County kicking off the 2nd half that extended their lead. Had started the brighter Clarke had already put in a great cross that Caitlin Friend almost reached with her head in the six yard box. Now Clarke finding herself charging down the left channel bursts into the box shoots, a fierce effort Howard gets her gloves behind it but can only send it into the chest of the onrushing Dunia Susi the ball coming off her and into the net. 0-2 Notts County.
Notts County are putting Yeovil under pressure pinned back in their half they cannot get a move going. Play is called back for a free kick outside the box after no advantage after Canadian Desiree Scott is fouled. It's Rachel Corsie to take launches it to the far post, Katie Holtham heads back across the goal and there is Jess Clarke to rifle the ball home. 0-3 Notts County.
Notts County make another sub bringing on a player that has been out of action for far too long Rachel Unitt. This causes another change in the defence with Amy Turner becoming Rachel Corsie's 3rd defensive partner in central defence for the game as Unitt drops into her favoured left back role.
It doesn't unsettle Notts County a 4th goal soon arrives and another beauty from Jess Clarke as the ball is laid back to her 25 yards out she strikes it sweetly and scores. 0-4 Notts County.
The visitors are forced into another change as Dunia Susi has to come off, is replaced by Emily Roberts.
Walton plays the ball inside to Clarke breaking into the box she wins a corner that Roberts takes a dangerous ball Beth Howard comes and does well to punch it away from the rising Rachel Unitt's head inside the box, it comes to Clarke but this time her effort is over.
Clarke puts the ball onto the top of the Yeovil cross bar as Corsie flicks a ball on from another corner stretching Clarke does well to produce the chance.
Good link up play between Clarke and Corsie as the defender breaks forwards minutes later, Clarke plays the ball into her path and the Scottish international has a go for goal the ball is deflected for a corner.
Yeovil make 2 late changes bringing of Laura Bray for Jemma Tewkesbury, and Kirsty Whitton comes on for Paige Stewart.
Full time and Notts County Ladies win the game 4 nil and with it top Group Three and are the 1st team to qualify for the Continental Cup semi-finals. A confident display were too strong for their opponents today and will fancy their chances of reaching the final itself.
Yeovil will be disappointed with the result for sure worked hard in defence but pushed too deep couldn't get anything going the other end.
There was one other Continental Cup match today in Group Two Liverpool Ladies playing host to Doncaster Rovers Belles. Liverpool raced to a 3-0 lead in the 1st half but Doncaster fought back in the 2nd to pull it back to 3-2. It's Liverpool who top the group going into Sunday, Manchester City know now nothing less than a win will do as they visit Durham Women.
Enjoyed my 1st trip to see Yeovil Town Ladies and have another trip planned soon.
It was the home side to kick off the tie, in there kit of white and green striped shirts, white shorts and green socks, against Notts County in their purple and yellow kit.
Have seen Notts County play a few times this season, they are very fit, with a good work ethic. There play can be direct at times but with an attack full of pace this is the best way to exploit it. Notts County were on the attack from the start, with Caitlin Friend and Dunia Susi to the left and right of Jess Clarke looking to find a way through Yeovil's defence.
The early exchanges were cagey however, Yeovil were keeping a good shape working well as a team unit to thwart Notts County. The visitors were forced into making an early substitution having to bring off their captain Sophie Bradley as she went down off the ball. Looked to be in some pain and you always worry more when something happens without visible contact. Can only hope it's not too serious and wish her a speedy recovery.
Here replacement, midfielder Katie Holtham, saw a switch in personnel with new Aussie signing Danielle Brogan moving from left back to centre back, Amy Turner coming across the pitch to left back and Sophie Walton coming out of midfield to take up duties at right back.
Attacks leading to clear chances were few in the 1st 20 minutes with Carly Telford quick off her line to deny a Yeovil through ball from reaching their stikers and at the other end Beth Howard saving well to deny a Notts County long range effort.
The visitors found a way through however pressing and probing the ball was won back in midfield, Dunia Susi manages to find a way through the Yeovil defence central to goal has a run into the box and prods it past Beth Howard before she can get down to save. Notts County take the lead 0-1.
Notts County aren't content with one goal however and are pushing the Yeovil defence back making it very difficult for them to break with any purpose. When they do get a ball forwards the numbers aren't there to trouble the Notts County defence and efforts on goal are limited to long range both going wide of goal.
Jess Clarke inside the box receives the ball from the right, lays it back to Katie Holtham on the edge of the box, she slices her effort on goal from the edge of the box wide of the mark.
Yeovil are getting most joy on the left through Laura Bray, she get's the better of her marker and gets space for a shot has a go the effort from inside the box sending the ball over the cross bar.
Notts County score a 2nd goal but it is ruled out for offside as New Zealander Katie Hoyle plays a good through ball into Jess Clarke she sends the ball past Howard but the flag is up.
Clarke is looking very dangerous, has a shot near post that Beth Howard keeps out but the ball spins loose across the goal, Katie Hoyle tries to stab it home at close range, but Yeovil have covering defenders on the line to block it spins out to Amy Turner whose effort back in goes high over the bar.
Helen Bleazard coming inside with the ball plays a good pass through to Bray out wide left, she in turn puts in a good cross, Notts County have tracked back in number however and she can't pick out a team mate.
Beth Howard produces a fine save to deny Amy Turner from scoring the effort from long range dipping as it comes in. From the corner the ball comes back out to Holtham whose effort is sent wide of the right post.
Yeovil have a break, Bray with the ball on the left has a run at goal and has support coming with her in the end doesn't know whether to shoot or cross as she is closed down her attempt is tame in the end comfortable for Telford to take.
Half time Yeovil Town Ladies 0-1 Notts County Ladies
Going into the break with a 1-0 lead Notts County had the goal they needed to ensure qualification for the semi-finals, had created a host of other chances. Yeovil had worked hard to keep the scoreline down at with just one goal in it were still in the tie they would need more going forwards though if they wanted to pull the tie level.
As it was it was Notts County kicking off the 2nd half that extended their lead. Had started the brighter Clarke had already put in a great cross that Caitlin Friend almost reached with her head in the six yard box. Now Clarke finding herself charging down the left channel bursts into the box shoots, a fierce effort Howard gets her gloves behind it but can only send it into the chest of the onrushing Dunia Susi the ball coming off her and into the net. 0-2 Notts County.
Notts County are putting Yeovil under pressure pinned back in their half they cannot get a move going. Play is called back for a free kick outside the box after no advantage after Canadian Desiree Scott is fouled. It's Rachel Corsie to take launches it to the far post, Katie Holtham heads back across the goal and there is Jess Clarke to rifle the ball home. 0-3 Notts County.
Notts County make another sub bringing on a player that has been out of action for far too long Rachel Unitt. This causes another change in the defence with Amy Turner becoming Rachel Corsie's 3rd defensive partner in central defence for the game as Unitt drops into her favoured left back role.
It doesn't unsettle Notts County a 4th goal soon arrives and another beauty from Jess Clarke as the ball is laid back to her 25 yards out she strikes it sweetly and scores. 0-4 Notts County.
The visitors are forced into another change as Dunia Susi has to come off, is replaced by Emily Roberts.
Walton plays the ball inside to Clarke breaking into the box she wins a corner that Roberts takes a dangerous ball Beth Howard comes and does well to punch it away from the rising Rachel Unitt's head inside the box, it comes to Clarke but this time her effort is over.
Clarke puts the ball onto the top of the Yeovil cross bar as Corsie flicks a ball on from another corner stretching Clarke does well to produce the chance.
Good link up play between Clarke and Corsie as the defender breaks forwards minutes later, Clarke plays the ball into her path and the Scottish international has a go for goal the ball is deflected for a corner.
Yeovil make 2 late changes bringing of Laura Bray for Jemma Tewkesbury, and Kirsty Whitton comes on for Paige Stewart.
Full time and Notts County Ladies win the game 4 nil and with it top Group Three and are the 1st team to qualify for the Continental Cup semi-finals. A confident display were too strong for their opponents today and will fancy their chances of reaching the final itself.
Yeovil will be disappointed with the result for sure worked hard in defence but pushed too deep couldn't get anything going the other end.
There was one other Continental Cup match today in Group Two Liverpool Ladies playing host to Doncaster Rovers Belles. Liverpool raced to a 3-0 lead in the 1st half but Doncaster fought back in the 2nd to pull it back to 3-2. It's Liverpool who top the group going into Sunday, Manchester City know now nothing less than a win will do as they visit Durham Women.
Enjoyed my 1st trip to see Yeovil Town Ladies and have another trip planned soon.
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