Belper Reserves produced their gutsiest performance of the season to defeat Stapenhill 1-0 and reach the final of the League Plate cup competition. The first final this team has ever reached in its history.

In sunny but blustery conditions and with the wind at their backs in the first half, Belper started brightly and almost took the lead when Jess played in Elisha whose first time volley was saved well by the keeper.

On 11 minutes Belper took the lead when Lauren controlled the ball beautifully 35 yards from goal, took a touch away from her marker to fire in an unstoppably powerful shot that curled into the top corner of the net. 1-0, a well deserved lead and I doubt we will see a better individual long range strike this season from any player in any team!

Stapenhill rallied and from that point onwards for the next 20 mins or so the game descended into a scrappy affair with neither team really able to press home an advantage, though both teams had good moments notably when Amy made a save after the Stapenhill forward was put through on goal and on the one occasion she was beaten Emma was on hand to clear the deflection off the line with an amazing header!

Towards the end of the 1st half Belper began to assert themselves and play their signature football again with the talented midfield trio of Jazz, Ella and Jess spreading their passes with a greater freedom and accuracy which led to several half chances for Belper as the half came to a close and at that stage it looked there was only going to be one winner.

Playing against the wind in the second half was always going to be a tougher ask, but Belper’s defence of Holly, Emma, Beth & Gina rose to the occasion snuffing out wave after wave of Stapenhill pressure, with Gina making 4 last ditch covering clearances to deny the Stapenhill forwards a chance to shoot at goal.

When they did get a sight of goal, Amy was there to block and on one occasion made a tremendous save despite receiving some robust and pretty unnecessary follow up challenges - not for the first time this season.

Melissa and Cara were introduced to bring some fresh legs into the match with great effect as the Nailers hung on and defended a barrage of corners for the final minutes bravely and unified as a team to get the job done and come away with a well deserved victory.