South Durham Royals: Having been beaten 3-0 four days earlier in the knockout cup by Chester-le-Street, Royals went into their semi-final of the Bill Godward League Cup against the same opposition with renewed determination.

They got off to the perfect start when a Tracey Swales free kick found Caz Ross unmarked in the box for her to round the keeper and slot home.

Chester came back strongly, forcing a number of corners and free kicks but were unable to find the equaliser.

Royals started the second half strongly and after ten minutes a Swales corner found Ross at the back post to head home her second goal of the match. Three minutes later a Swales through-ball found Becca Adams who turned the defender and scored with a shot across the keeper.

With Chester unable to find a breakthrough, Royals progressed to their first Ladies final.

For a club that as only been in existence for three seasons it is a proud moment for the Ladies team to emulate their Under-13s counterparts in reaching a cup final.

The final is to be played on Tuesday, April 27 at Horden CW against Crook Town Ladies.

Durham City

City produced a good first half display against Carlisle and created several chances whilst limiting the visitors to long-range efforts. However, it was 0-0 at the break.

During the second half both teams batted hard but City dominated the play in terms of clear cut chances. The home side passed the ball well and went two goals to the good thanks to great finishing by Emma Collinson.

City right winger Kirsty Stokes added a third with a fortuitous cross-shot. The visitors grabbed a late consolation goal from a direct free kick but Durham kept control of the game and held possession until the final minute.

Crook Ladies

The first season for Crook Ladies FC has been special having enjoyed success on several fronts.

First they brought the Haarlem Cup to England from Holland in July then were runners-up in the NRWF League first division which has been a better and tougher league this year.

They've now won the new and highly prized Bill Godward League Cup after beating South Durham Royals 2-1 in an end to end battle on Tuesday, April 27 at Horden CW's ground.

Two penalties on ten and 24 minutes taken by captain Amanda Dodds sealed the win for Crook. Tracy Swales scored in the dying minutes for SDR as they piled on the pressure for defenders Fay Burn, Gemma Gibson, Victoria Ireland, Amanda Dodds and keeper Katie Outhwaite but to no avail. Sarah Carter and Sarah Whitelock worked hard in midfield while strikers Kelly Rushworth and Helen Westmoreland kept SDR keeper Sarah McDonald busy.

Left winger Lizzie Ward deserved a special mention for endless running and pressure on the opposition.

Crook ended the league season on a high by beating Saltburn LFC 9-0 at Millfield ground on Sunday, April 25.

Lizzie Ward opened on five minutes for Crook rounding two players then the keeper. On seven minutes Nicky Duckling scored her first of five the second on 16 minutes.

Playing both midweek and Sunday games showed more on Saltburn than Crook. Ducking scored her third five minutes into the second half with Lizzie Ward getting her brace on the hour. Katie Hewitson scored a tremendous goal on 75 storming down the right wing. duckling got her fourth on 85 after Amanda Dodds put the ball through for her. Helen Westmoreland got Crook's eighth later with a 20-yard strike. In the dying seconds Ducking took on the goallie and won.

At the third attempt to play Wardley, Crook travelled to Gateshead and came away with a well deserved win. The game ended 3-1 to Crook (Gemma Gibson, Nicky Duckling 2).

Crook Town Ladies are hosting two cup finals at Millfield ground on Sunday, May 2 promoting women's soccer in the North-East.

Intermediate League Cup (11am): Newcastle U21 v Newcastle Development.

League Knockout Cup (2pm): Chester-le-Street v Wardley Eagles

Programmes 50pm on the gate.