Chesterfield FC Women earned themselves a place in the semi-finals of the League Plate after beating Sleaford 2-1 on the road today.
The first half saw a good battle between the two teams before Sleaford took the lead in the 30th minute.
Undeterred, the Spireites pushed for an equaliser. Faye Delaney and Lucy Graham both had shots on target that were well saved by the opposition keeper.
The Spireites’ efforts paid off on the stroke of half-time when Maddie Watkinson played a brilliant ball to Rebecca Lilleyman. Lilleyman’s initial shot was saved but she made no mistake on the follow up, from a tight angle, to make it 1-1 at the break.
Chesterfield pushed on in the second-half, creating plenty of chances. At the other end of the pitch, Rhianne Carroll made a great save from a tricky, bobbling ball and minutes later, Megan Breeze and Rebecca Francis both defended well to clear the ball of the line.
With neither team having found the winner, the game went to extra-time.
Just like in the first half of normal time, the Spireites scored with seconds to go before the half-time whistle.
Watkinson found Graham unmarked in the area and she made it 2-1 to Chesterfield with the coolest of tap-ins.
A few more chances came in the second period of extra-time, but the Spireites saw the game out for the win and a well-earned place in the final four.
The Spireites are next in action on February 23, at home to Notts County Development.
Player of the Match: Lucy Graham
Spireites: Carroll, Bunyan, Breeze (Nazha 74), Francis, Brodrick (Holland 28), Lilleyman, O’Brien, Hulme, Delaney (Brodrick 114), Watkinson, Graham
