Chasetown welcomed Port Vale Reserves for a much-anticipated League Cup semi-final on a cold, wet, and windy afternoon. Chasetown went into the game full of confidence after beating Port Vale in their last meeting.

It was all Chasetown in the first ten minutes, with multiple chances coming to fruition. Lessi Birkett had a shot saved, and several crosses were intercepted by the keeper. Nevertheless, it was good pressure from Chasetown. However, in the 12th minute, Port Vale grew into the game, and after an unfortunate clearance landed at Madison Furnival’s feet, she calmly shot into the top left corner.

Port Vale were relentless from then on, but Chasetown showed strong defending, denying key chances. Port Vale’s second came in the 16th minute after a through ball found Furnival, who calmly finished. Chasetown picked themselves up again, creating chances, with Connie Wootton's header narrowly missing—showing they shouldn't be underestimated.

Port Vale responded quickly, with a brilliant finish from Furnival to complete her hat-trick and make it 3-0. Chasetown refused to give up, and after winning a corner, Wootton’s volley hit the roof of the net to make it 3-1. Almost immediately, Port Vale responded with some excellent individual play from Hollie Bailey to make it 4-1. With the game going end to end, Chasetown scored again, with Katie Holmes' shot finding the bottom right corner to make it 4-2.

Going into the second half, Chasetown knew they had work to do—and it showed. As in the first half, the first 10 minutes were all Chasetown again. Creating numerous chances, their goal came in the 53rd minute after Kyrie Ball's shot was deflected, landing at Kaz Clough’s feet, who looped her shot over the keeper to make it 4-3. Chasetown were relentless and didn’t let multiple stoppages slow them down.

They came close again, with Chloe East-Goodman’s shot hitting the crossbar and Birkett’s low-driven shot being saved by the keeper. Despite all the pressure, Port Vale had their share of chances. Furnival came close again, but a brilliant save by Morgan Underwood denied her. Chasetown kept applying pressure, desperate for an equaliser, coming agonisingly close. However, in the dying embers of the game, after some good team play, Clough played a brilliant through ball to Birkett, who calmly slotted it past the keeper to make it 4-4 and take the game to extra time.

Chasetown kept their momentum and started extra time positively. East-Goodman’s shot was saved by the keeper, the best clear-cut chance early on. Port Vale again grew into the game, and a counter-attack led to Furnival breaking away and putting in a low-driven cross to Bailey, who scored to make it 5-4.

Port Vale made the second half of extra time very awkward for Chasetown, with multiple stoppages disrupting play. It was Port Vale who got the final goal, with Furnival slotting her penalty into the bottom right corner.

Chasetown were very unfortunate to have lost in the way they did and should hold their heads up high.

Chasetown FC

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