Albion Women reached the National League Plate final with a late extra time winner to overcome Plymouth Argyle in a hard-fought last four game.
Nat Murray put the Baggies ahead in the first half before Helen Bleazard equalised for the hosts. Vanessa Kinnerley saved a penalty but Albion were made to wait until the 116th minute when Nicole Nymoen sealed the tie for the visitors.
The game started slowly with both sides struggling to create chances but it was Albion that broke the deadlock after half an hour.
Murray went on a strong run down the right wing before her cross floated towards the back post and evaded Katie Middleton in the Argyle net, nestling into the bottom corner to give Louis Sowe’s side the lead.
The action shifted to the other end of the field when Bleazard was adjudged to have been brought down in the area by Hannah George.
The attacker then stepped up to take the spot kick, but the low shot was saved well by Kinnerley in the Albion goal.
Not long after though the scores were levelled.
Bleazard made up for her earlier error by slotting past Albion’s ‘keeper to bring the scores at one each at the break.
Shortly into the second period Keeley Davies stung the fingers of Middleton with a long range effort and as the half wore on, Plymouth dropped deeper but it wasn’t until 88 minutes that the next chance came.
A George free kick from 25 yards was well saved by Middleton, before Bethan Jewitt almost won the tie with its last kick but her shot went agonisingly wide, sending the game to extra time.
Albion’s dominance continued into the added 30 minutes, Jade Arber striking the crossbar with an effort in the area just before half time.
The winner then came with just four minutes to play before a potential penalty shootout.
Albion’s captain, George, picked the ball up in the middle of the field and fired off a spectacular long-range effort that cannoned off the crossbar with midfielder Nymoen quickest to react, sparking scenes of jubilation amongst the team.
The girls in purple comfortably negotiated the remaining minutes to send Albion to the final where they will defend their title against either Middlesbrough or Watford.
Albion: Kinnerley; Jewitt, Elsmore, Orthodoxou, George (c); Nymoen, Greaves (Stamps 67); Murray, Davies, Dugmore; Arber (James 105).