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The FA Women's Cup

VIDEO: A fantastic piece of history

Barnet manager speaks of Semi-Final pride.

Barnet 3-2 Nottingham Forest
The FA Women's Cup sponsored by E.ON
Sixth Round Proper
Sunday 7 March
Reynolds Field, Hanwell Town FC
Winning clubs receive £1250 from The FA's prize fund


Barnet sealed their place in the last four of The FA Women’s Cup on Sunday, springing something of a surprise to knock out FA Women’s Premier League side Nottingham Forest.

After waiting three weeks to get the game played following multiple postponements in recent weeks, the two sides finally met and Barnet manager Tracey Kevins felt the opportunity to do a bit of scouting on their opponents was the key to victory.

"We'd done quite a bit of homework and I'd spoken to three national league managers, because we've never faced them before in our history so we had to know a little bit about them,” revealed Kevins, to TheFA.com camera.

"We knew that they'd be quite a direct sides, so we set about putting them under pressure quite high up the pitch to try and cut off the supply.

"So I thought our front players did exceptionally well from a defending point of view to stop that from happening.”

It turned out to be a thrilling victory too, as Holly Sandow chested Barnet ahead from close range in the 17th minute to give the Bees a half time advantage.

Forest came storming back though, and Laura Coombs levelled things by shooting home at the second attempt after a cross from the right.

The pendulum then swung back in Barnet’s favour as Clare Thomas headed home a corner shortly after the hour mark.

A set-piece at the other end saw Forest equalise again, as a set-piece deliver saw the unfortunate Gemma Rudman head into her own goal.

But the tie was settled with just over ten minutes remaining when Sandow raced onto a long ball, beat the keeper to it before slotting home and sending Kevins’ team into their Semi-Final with Mo Marley’s Everton.

"I'll be honest, it hasn't sunk in yet,” added Kevins.

"We've had such a build-up, over three weeks and even along the touchline with a few minutes left, I wouldn't allow myself to think about it.

"The Semi-Final still seemed a mile away, but it's a fantastic piece of history for the club and I'm ever so proud to be in charge of them.

"We're one step away from a Final, and it's fantastic.”