Third time lucky for Nailers Ladies who progress in Cup

The game had been postponed twice and had been moved to Belper Leisure Centre to be played, the final tie of the 1st Round.

The Nailers started brightly and nearly took the lead on 3 minutes when Chip McCluskey's shot was deflected and produced a sharp save from Maisie Kennerson.

Nine minutes later, a free kick from 25 yards by Jazz Buxton further tested the Hilton 'keeper.

After good early pressure, Belper broke the deadlock in the 15th minute when Alice Faulding picked up the ball just outside the box, ran on and fired under Kennerson.

A minute later Faulding was through again but this time her shot flew narrowly over the bar as Belper threatened to take the game away from their lower league opponents.

On 21 minutes came Hilton's first real opportunity when Becky Edwards fired in a free kick from out wide which was well caught by Hannah Whysall in the Belper goal.

Shortly after, Faulding did really well to keep an attack alive by heading the ball back in from the sideline, she laid it off for Buxton whose shot was saved.

The long throw-ins of Hollie Lambe continued to cause problems but the Belper defence stood firm.

On the half hour mark a shot from a tight angle by Megan Knight brought another good save out of Whysall.

Eight minutes before the break, Faulding doubled Belper's lead when she intercepted a short goal kick and ran through to finish.

Five minutes in to the second half Buxton laid the ball off for McCluskey who shot just wide following a nice move by Belper.

It was generally a quiet start to the second half and it took until the 66th minute to create another chance when Faulding found Elouise Mott, play was then spread to the left and McCluskey who scuffed her shot wide.

On 74 minutes a cross by McCluskey from the left found Faulding who controlled the ball well and struck a volley over her shoulder but the hattrick goal eluded her.

Ten minutes from time, Hilton came the closest yet to finding a goal when Emma Walsh got her head to a corner but it was just wide.

There was just about time for a Sammy Bennett effort for the Nailers which was wide of Kennerson's post, and the final action at the other end saw Knight fire a free kick just over the bar.

The Nailers progress to the 2nd Round where fellow Division One side Wirksworth Colts await.

Belper Town: Whysall, Layton, Cowan, Powles, Jackson (C), Buxton, Needham, Bennett, McCluskey, Faulding, Mott.
Subs: Varnam, Worral.

Ref: Chris Petcu