Peterborough United Women suffer late 2-1 defeat to Northampton Town Women in Northamptonshire FA County Cup Final at Steel Park.
Posh Women were disappointed to miss out on the chance to claim some silverware on Thursday evening as they were defeated 2-1 by the Cobblers, after Kim Farrow netted a late controversial penalty.
After a quiet start to the tie, the Cobblers had the first opportunity. Bell was picked out inside the box and as she looked to get a shot off, she was closed down by Neve Corry who was able to block the ball. It then fell back to Bell who forced Corry into another good save from close range.
The first chance for Posh came from a corner which caused chaos inside of the box and was cleared out to Hayley James who struck it first time, with her effort going inches over the crossbar.
Tara Kirk saw another chance for Posh as she held up the ball on the half-way line and played Keir Perkins down the left wing where she was able to put a cross into the box, but her efforts were claimed by goalkeeper Katie McLean at the near post.
A throw-in from James out on the right caused problems for the Northampton defence as it found Kirk inside the box but her volley was eventually blocked.
The final chance of the half fell for Posh when Perkins played across to Bennett who had her driven effort inside the box, but her shot was cleared away by the defence.
Posh had the first chance following the break after Kirk played a ball over the top towards Perkins inside of the box. Following a mix up between the Northampton defender and McLean the ball went past both players and rolled wide of the post.
After starting the second-half strong, Posh were searching for the opener, a dangerous cross was cleared away by McClean to James who picked out Bennett in the centre of the box, but her effort was well saved before the assistant referee's flag was raised for offside.
Northampton took the lead on 62 minutes when a ball from the left set BELL through on goal for her to chip over Corry to put her side ahead.
Shortly after the goal, Northampton had a free kick in a dangerous position on the left. Farrow played a ball towards the back post and it looked like it was heading towards the top corner, before Corry managed to tap the ball onto the post with her fingertips and prevent a certain goal.
Determined to find an equaliser, Posh pushed forwards and Ella Bale flicked the ball out towards Kirk who played it back into the striker who drove into the box where she got a shot off but McClean claimed the ball once again.
The chances kept coming for Posh. This time the ball was crossed in by James and flicked on by Bale towards Kirk inside the box where she hit her effort inches wide of the post.
Posh were awarded a penalty on 82 minutes after Perkins was bundled down inside of the box. The penalty was converted by BENNETT as she fired the ball towards the top left corner, which beat McClean despite her diving the correct way.
Just moments later Northampton were awarded a penalty on 87 minutes after their attacker was brought down by Corry. The spot kick was converted by FARROW who found the bottom left corner.
In the dying moments of the game, Posh were awarded a free-kick just outside of the box. Bennett stepped up but her shot down low went wide of the bottom corner.
Northampton were able to see out the result and win the trophy. The two sides will meet again in Posh’s final match of the season on the Sunday 27th April (2pm) at Sixfields Stadium.
Posh: Corry, Connor, Brown, Perkins, Lawlor, Reynolds, Meli, Bale, James, Osker, Mears. Subs: Driscoll-King, Sharpe, Kirk, Wilshaw, Bennett.
Half-time: Northampton Town Women 0-0 Peterborough United Women
Full-time: Northampton Town Women 2-1 Peterborough United Women
Photo Credit: Darren Wiles