Athletic Ladies upset the pre match forecast by inflicting League Club Mansfield Town with their heaviest defeat of the season. Mansfield who are currently top of the Premier Division looked well prepared and dominated the first 25 minutes without making their possession pay.
Then, on 30 minutes and against the run of play, the infectious Helen Busby burst through only to be brought down by the Mansfield keeper. In what looked a certain penalty the referee played advantage and Oly Stevens fired home from close range.
With Busby having to leave the field injured Athletic were down to 10 when Mansfield responded with minutes to go to half time. One-One. Then with referee about to blow the whistle Athletic regained the initiative with Caz Toone reacting first to put them back in front.
The second half was more comfortable for the Athletic ladies and with two further goals from Oly Stevens and Neely Stevens they progressed to the next round where they play Radcliffe Olympic away in early December.
