Cup Finals
13the April 08by L.Welling
The listing was posted by Thames Valley Counties Women's Football League Association
The day started with a downpour, but when the skies cleared Denham Reserves took on Slough Ressies and drew a decent crowd. The match although not pretty was a very tight affair with both teams pretty much cancelling each other out. At the interval it was 0 - 0 and neither team really looked like scoring. Then against the run of play Denham took the lead, Slough swiflty replied and the match looked as if it was going into the tournament organisers dreaded extra time. With 10 minutes remaining Denham were awarded a free kick just outside hte box and duly dispatched and picked up their silverware for the season.
Woodley Saints looked like the favourites for the Cup Final, unbeaten this season they had already beaten Mansfield Road 4-1 in the league. Mansfield Road had other ideas although Woodley pressed and probed the Oxfordshire sides defence held firm. An early attack saw Manny Road deflect on to their own bar but it wasn't one way traffic by any means and both teams played some good football.
The second half was a very even match - Woodley more direct had their chances and Mansfield Road played through the midfield and created some good possession. With 15 minutes remaining the Oxfordshire sides striker pace took her between two Saints defenders and she squeezed her shot low and the keeper got down to save it. Woodley shaken by this went on the attack and when the ball fell to the left side of the box a cool lob gave the Berkshire side the lead. With 5 minutes remaining, the spectators got behind Mansfield Road pushing them to mount some counter attacks but their resolute defence finally cracked providing Woodley with a second a two - goal victory and an entertaining final.