Leafield progressed into the final of the League Cup in an exciting cup tie at Coventry.  Coventry had not lost a single game since the start of the season, but Leafield proved that the league title is far from settled with the county cup final also set to be a close affair following this hard fought battle.

Leafield started the brighter and put pressure on the home team early on, dictating the play and forcing a number of early corners.  A defensive mix up on the conter attack gave the home team a 10 minute lead though when a loose ball in the six yard box was poked home by the Coventry forward. 

Leafield chased an equaliser and were rightly rewarded with an excellent take from Rachel who shot first time from a pass from the left giving the impressive Coventry keeper no chance.  As the half went on there were few chances for either team with both defences cancelling out any threatening attacks.

A positive team talk at the break, the girls were encouraged to take the game to the home team and up the tempo of their play.  The second half started well for Leafield with some excellent work down the left between Lucy and Lexley and Faye and Rachel working the back line of the home team, keeping them on their toes at all times.  Leafield then took the lead through an excellent strike from the left from Lucy, the Coventry keeper may have done better to hold on to it as it went high and through her attempted catch but instead it nestled into the top corner.

Coventry came at Leafield and won a succession of corners, all of which were superbly delivered but as superbly defended by Leafield who were once again being marshalled by Jade and Zoe in the centre of defence.

Coventry's equaliser came from a disputed penalty award by the referee who adjudged Annalise of purposely hand balling in the area, although it was obvious from those in close proximity that she was simply trying to move her hand out of the way of the ball and it was completely accidental.  Nevertheless Leafield took the decision and still looked to win the game, although there were no clear cut chances from either team in the remainder of normal time.

Coventry passed the ball well when given the time and as Leafield got tired Coventry took more control of the game in the first perod of extra time, Gabby had to come off injured and Faye carried on although she too was struggling with a knock and cramp. 

Leafield should have won the game in this period when a great through ball by Faye split the Coventry defence apart and put Rachel in who did everything right in rounding the keeper but then shot wide of the post.  The second half of extra time was played out with few chances from either team and the game went to a penalty shoot out.

Although as nerve wracking as ever Jade, Faye and Lucy kept their nerve to convert with Zoe shooting high and wide and Annalise having her penalty saved superbly by the Coventry keeper.  Alysha proved her strength and ability with a superb save to deny Coventry and with a miss and the Coventry keeper shooting well wide with their penultimate shot Leafield go into their second final of the season.

Once again, Leafield will face Derby County in the final for the third successive season after they beat Sporting Club Albion 1-0.

A great battling performance.  Well done girls.