Sunday October 14, 2007
Premier League Cup (Second Round), Shawbridge
Rovers 2-1 Bristol Academy

ROVERS Ladies booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Premier League Cup for the first time in their history after emerging victorious from the top-of-the-table clash against league leaders Bristol Academy.

Katie Anderton provided the assist for Lynda Shepherd's headed opener on 26 minutes, before Rovers' record goalscorer doubled the advantage with some sensational skill midway through the second half.

Substitute Nikki Watts pulled one back for the visitors with just eight minutes left on the clock, but Adam Lakeland's side held on for a deserved win.

Lakeland said: "I'm delighted we've gone through and we've finally managed to beat Bristol.

"In our two league games against them, they've taken four points off us and myself and all the players know that's not a true reflection of how we've played for long periods against them this season.

"We used that as motivation to drive us on, coupled with our six-game unbeaten run, and I felt we thoroughly deserved to progress.

"Our existing players loved every minute of our FA Cup run to the semi-final stage last season and we've brought in the likes of Nicky Harding from Everton, who has enjoyed decent cup runs in the past, and two players from Leeds who played in last season's final.

"So none of the players certainly didn't want to go out in the second round and as a result, we found that extra gear we've been looking for.

"The last five minutes were a bit nervy, but following a gruelling game against Liverpool in midweek, I asked the girls to play at such a high tempo that would restrict Bristol from getting a foothold in the game and so I knew we'd tire towards the end.

"I knew that if we played some good football and got a couple of goals ahead, I was confident we would see the game out. And I sensed a real determination from the girls not to let our lead slip."

ROVERS: Hobbs, Eadie, Brewer (Twohig 35), Williams, Harding, Burke, Preston, Shepherd, Penny (Walsh 75), Anderton, Dixon (Campbell 75).
Subs not used: Jones, Daniel.