South Reading Vixens

The Vixens started strongly, laying siege to the Whiteknights goal for much of the first half. Yasmin shot wide early on, before hitting the post in the ninth minute. Nicole and Deanna then both went close in a goalmouth scramble following Yasmin’s corner, before Yasmin again shot just wide after an excellent pass from Hannah. Then it was Nicole and Hannah’s turn to be denied by great goalkeeping and determined defending, before the Gems hit back with a fast counter attack. With the visitors through on goal, Dominique somehow pulled off a great save to keep the score level. That proved to be the visitors best opportunity of the first period, with defenders Zoe and Stacey in fine form and letting nothing else through. Then it was back to the other end, with the Gems keeper pulling off another fine save from Yasmin. The deadlock was finally broken just before the break when Yasmin’s shot from the left flew across goal and into the bottom corner of the net to put the Vixens in front. There was still time for the girls to push forward again, with Perri’s shot going just wide after a great passing move.

The Gems came out strongly in the second half, and Dom just managed to get her foot to the ball as the visitors pressed forward. The Gems keeper then pulled off yet another great save from Yasmin after some excellent passing involving the whole midfield. But the half belonged to Whiteknights, and with the advantage of the slope and the Vixens visibly tiring, it seemed only a matter of time before they levelled the tie. With just three minutes remaining they finally scored a deserved equaliser, lobbing Dom to send the game into extra time.

The Gems swarmed forward from the kick off, and Dom pulled off another save before the visitors hit the post. With both teams now clearly exhausted there were few other opportunities, although Deanna ran the length of the pitch before seeing her shot saved. There was no further score, and it was down to the dreaded penalties. Both keepers pulled off some great saves, although Whiteknights went ahead with their second kick. But with just two penalties remaining, cool strikes from Perri and Deanna and more great saves from Dom gave the Vixens the narrowest of victories and put the girls into the next round.

Squad: Dominique, Stacey, Nicole, Zoe, Yasmin, Deanna, Hannah, Perri

The Vixens player of the match was Dom, who was excellent throughout and performed heroics in the penalty shootout.