There's nothing like it! Cup Football has that 'different' feel to it - and when you get to the last four of the competition, all eyes are already on that prestigious Final. But we had a big task in front of us this morning as we headed over to St James' High School to take on Tika Taka Santos - and knowing that they'd finished 3rd in the division above us this season, we knew we'd have to be 'at it' right from the start. The girls were up for it though - don't you worry about that...

We finished our campaign with a win in midweek - seeing us end up 4th in our first season of the league - so as expected, the girls were in good spirits as they started arriving. And as we began to warm up, we noticed that today's opponents only had 9 players - and no goalkeeper - so that gave us a little bit more confidence as we prepared for the game. Jack and Baz just urged their troops to relax, play their own game and make sure they won their individual battles - and if we got chances, make sure we finished them. A large contingent of United fans were gathered away to the left cheering their heroes on and as the whistle went to begin proceedings, we wondered how short our nails would be by the end...

It was the Eagles who started on the front foot and we were playing some lovely football from the outset - passing it around nicely and making the ball do the work. It was another hot day but the girls weren't letting that affect them as we pressed the hosts high up the pitch. This was not giving them any time to work the ball out from the back and one mistake saw Lila win the ball in their penalty area. She looked up and played a glorious ball into the danger-area that saw Niamh charging forward - and she slammed the ball into the back of the Tika-Taka net. What a strike! Her team-mates swamped her and the travelling fans were ecstatic! 1-0 and we had something to look after now...

The break came at the right time as both teams were feeling the temperature - but the fans were loving it as the sun shined and with their side in front, why wouldn't they be? The coaches calmed the nerves by praising their troops and reminding them that all they needed to do was keeping doing the same things - press high up the pitch, pass the ball well and make sure we tracked back with our marker. The drinks were gulped and the lungs re-filled - and we were soon back out there ready to do it again...

The hosts had changed their keeper at the break and from the off, it was clear that they didn't just want to be here to make up the numbers. They began to attack us a bit more and seemed to be seeing a lot more of the ball than we would have liked. We were defending heroically at times - but the pressure paid when they grabbed the equaliser the first time they got in behind our back-line. Some good passing saw them drill it into the middle and in the blink of an eye, the ball was nestling in the bottom of our net. It was all-square again - and everything was still very much to play for...

That was until 10 minutes later though - when it was the home side that took the lead! Having won a free-kick about 20 yards from goal, their midfielder went across to take it - and with a world-class strike, she slammed it into the top corner that no keeper in the land would have been able to stop. 1-2 and we needed to keep going and get back in this now. We did not want to go out - even if it was to a great goal like that...

The girls have backed each other all season - and now was no different - as they got their heads down and went in search of an equaliser. Time seemed to be ticking away really quickly but with 3 minutes left on the watch, a good move through the middle saw the Eagles feed the ball into the feet of Lila - and like an expert, she looked up and noticed their keeper slightly off her line before lobbing her from all of 20 yards and scoring a fabulous leveller! The United following were jubilant and the scenes were a joy for all to see! We were back in it - so late in the game - and if we could get another one, we'd be in the Final. If we couldn't, then we were less than 180 seconds away from those dreaded spot-kicks...

A penalty shoot-out is what occurred though as neither side could force the winner at such a late stage and talk about nerves - nobody had any nails left at this stage already! But there was no need to worry - we've got Isla between our posts - and she made two world-class saves to keep the Tika-Taka side out so it was left to Charlotte with the responsibility of putting us through if she could stick her spot-kick away. She took her run-up and BANG! - she slammed the ball into the bottom corner of their net leaving their No.1 no chance of keeping it out. We had done it! We were in the Final! The coaches and all the players rushed over to celebrate with Charlotte and Isla and the smiles on the faces of everybody connected to our great club is exactly why we do this. A fantastic day in the history of the Eagles this was for sure...

Thanks so much to the hosts for their hospitality and playing your part in a really exciting game - but all our thoughts had already turned to 6.30pm on Thursday 23rd May - as we travel to the Eddie Davies Academy (Bolton Wanderers training facility) for the Final. Astley & Tyldesley Wildcats are all that stand between us and that trophy now - so the girls will be giving it everything they've got to bring that silverware back to Moss Park...

It would be great if we could pack the place out next week and show our heroes that we're so proud of them, we'll be there to cheer them on to victory. Your support today was greatly received and we know we're going to need it in Lostock on Thursday...

We're in the Final baby! How good is that?

#OnceUnitedNeverDivided

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