Bucks set up Shifnal Town Tom Farmer Final

It was a Wednesday night under the lights at SCAT for AFC Telford Women as they face Shropshire Women’s League side Worthen Juniors for a place in the final of the Tom Farmer Shropshire County Cup Final.

In the lead up to the semi finals, the Bucks had only played one games against Telford Town after receiving a bye against Shawbury and SAHA respectively. Worthen on the other hand had beaten fellow league sides Bridgnorth Spartans and Newport Town to get to this stage.

The opening exchanges were controlled by the Bucks, creating a number of chances but unable to force a breakthrough. 10 minutes in and they did open the scoring. A lofted through ball from Jem Smith caused confusion between the Worthen defender and keeper leaving Hope Dunn with an empty net to slot home; adding to her first senior goal against Lichfield on Sunday.

10 minutes later and the scores were level as the Bucks were unable to deal with a free kick, leaving a player unmarked to poke the ball past Beth Owens.

Just over 10 minutes until the half time break and the away side were back in front. An Abby White corner was volleyed home from 6 yards by Jem Smith who managed to steal enough space in the box to finish high past the keeper.

The Bucks were thankful to Owens for keeping their lead going into half time making a great save to tip a Worthen shot over the bar. They were left to rue that missed chance when Smith grabbed her second of the game from a free header in the box; again from an Abby White corner shortly after.

HALF TIME: Worthen Juniors 1 AFC Telford 3

For Worthen to force a way back into the game you knew they would need to get the next goal. However, it was the Bucks who further stretched their lead on 56 minutes. Abbie Baldwin played in the Sasha Woodhouse down the right hand channel. She then cut inside and unleashed a shot across the keeper, forcing them into a good save. However, it was Dunn who reacted quickest to finish the rebound.

Just two minutes later and it was 5 and again it was Baldwin and Woodhouse combining down the right had side. Picking up the ball from Abbie, Sasha cut inside and finish low past the keeper at her near post.

With just over 15 minutes to play Worthen grabbed what would likely be a consolation as the winger pounced on a through ball to poke it past sub keeper Mia Bansal. The Worthen striker then tapped home with questions of being in an offside position. However the goal was given and the lead was cut to 3.

2 minutes the later and the lead was back to 4. A long inch perfect ball from sub Rom Evans gave Woodhouse space to run into. After finding space on the edge of the box, her trusted left foot found the top corner leaving the keeper with no chance.

The scoring was complete in the 81st minute as Shannon McShane found Abby White from the byline to finish from 6 yards past the keeper.

The Bucks head into the Tom Farmer County Cup Final for the second year in a row. They will again face higher level opposition, this time in the form of Shifnal Town.

FULL TIME: Worthen Juniors 2 AFC Telford 7