Rovers Ladies stun City to clinch final appearance (From Stroud News and Journal)

Rovers Ladies stun City to clinch final appearance

Forest Green Rovers Ladies 1 Bristol City Ladies 0 THIS was a fantastic result for Forest Green Rovers Ladies which puts them into the final of the County Cup against either Bristol Rovers, who are newly promoted to the top flight of womens football, the Premier League national division, or Oldlands Abbotonians.

Bristol City play two leagues above Forest Green which underlines the measure of this achievement.

City made their intentions clear when they won a corner in the first ten seconds but failed to make it count and this rather set the tone for the day.

Forest Green stood tall from the start and almost took the lead on five minutes when a spectacular 30 yard effort from Philippa Helliwell clipped the top of the City bar.

City responded well and Rovers' Jane Pollack did brilliantly to block a goal bound shot after a period of early City pressure. Successive corners for the visitors again produced decent chances but a mixture of poor finishing and determined defending kept the match scoreless.

At the other end, Jackie Howard's free-kick flew wide and Helliwell saw a good effort just clear the far post and Rovers grew more confident as the match wore on.

Home hearts were in mouths when City hit the post shortly before half time but the ball rebounded into the arms of keeper Sherry Pearson and Forest Green began to sense that it just might be their day.

After the break, City worked hard to gain control but were denied by Kerry Bartlett, Amy Silk, Kerry Dexter and Eli Bartlett who formed an industrious midfield.

In defence, Rovers were faultless with Jane Pollack, Sarah Doel, Jackie Howard and Sally Ellis confining the visitors to half chances as City gradually ran out of ideas.

Striker Helliwell then outpaced the City central defenders, but although her effort went agonising wide, it certainly gave City something to think about.

Then, with nine minutes left, Laura Perhinec won the ball on half way to set Helliwell away again and this time she made no mistake with a clinical right foot finish across the keeper and into the bottom corner of the net amid great celebrations on and off the pitch.

In a nervous finale, Forest Green worked hard to keep possession as City sought an elusive equaliser which never came. The final will be played at Oaklands Park, Almondsbury on Thursday May 1 and support will be very welcome.

Forest Green now turn their attentions to tonight's (Wednesday) vital league match against Cheltenham Town at The Lawn (7.45pm). A win tonight coupled with a win at Keynsham Town on Sunday will see Rovers Ladies promoted to the South West Combination League.