Androulla Kokkinou and Sarah Chapman added to an own goal as the Stagettes booked a semi-final place in the East Midlands Women’s Football League Cup with a 3-0 win away at Moulton on Sunday.
Despite the Northamptonshire outfit being from the league below, Mansfield didn’t anticipate an easy game as the hosts had been unbeaten in league and cup action since September.
It was the away side who opened the scoring when petite striker Androulla Kokkinou was able to outmuscle her marker before laying the ball off for Sarah Chapman to hit a tremendous strike.
The midfielder received great applause from her team-mates when her shot landed in the top left corner from over 40 yards out.
Jess Noble had Moulton's best opportunity of the half when Jay-Leanne Fenton in the Mansfield goal misjudged a bouncing ball in the sun. Luckily for Fenton, she was able to recover when it looked like Noble was going to fire into the empty net.
Mansfield doubled their lead early in the second half when Moulton added to their own misery by conceding an own goal. Good pressure from Mansfield led to Marie Wayne’s deep cross being headed over the onrushing goalkeeper by her own defender Kylie Evans.
With the game looking comfortable for Mansfield, they added a third when Wayne finished off a great passing move. The midfielder was able to apply one of her trademark strikes from just inside the box after a build-up which started from the Stagettes’ defence.
Manager Lewis Saxby's side will face league-leaders Bedworth in the semi-finals.
Mansfield: Jay Leanne Fenton, Shelley Adams, Emma Allen, Emma Day, Abbie Barlow, Monica Bowley, Sarah Chapman, Laura Watton, Marie Wayne, Androulla Kokkinou, Abbey Hawkins.
Subs: Jess Machin, Emma Potter.
