In a game in which the momentum swung back and forth several times Pride got off to the perfect start when Tash Collyer hit a dipping shot from distance to give Pride the lead in the second minute. That aside, it was a relatively even first quarter of an hour with the teams exchanging attacks and shots on goal. The closest to another goal being when Jade Howell had to come out smartly to block a close range shot and Rachel Weaver was on hand to clear after 3 minutes, whilst at the other end Beth Jones rounded the keeper but dragged her shot wide of the post after 11 minutes.

Long Eaton drew level after 15 minutes when the Pride back line didn’t anticipate a ball into space and were caught flat as the striker ran through to score. The goal gave Long Eaton additional encouragement and they had the better of the remainder of the half; apart from a couple of openings for The Pride, it was Jade Howell who was the busier keeper.

As half time approached Sophie Ayton jumped to block a shot which hit her arm - but the resulting penalty was skied over the crossbar - a reprieve for the home side and Pride will have been relieved to go in level at half time (1-1).

Pride made another quick start to the half and restored their lead after 48 minutes. Daisy Bowen made a strong run down the left, beat a defender in the area and laid a pass off for Beth Jones - her first shot was blocked but she made no mistake with the follow up which curled round the keeper’s dive and inside the far post (2-1).

Long Eaton responded to going behind and Jade Howell was out smartly to first block and then dive to smother the ball on the edge of the area after 55 minutes, but the visitors were level two minutes later. There was a strong but unchallenged run through the centre before a shot hit wide of Jade Howell. Pride Park’s keeper was called into action again just before the hour, when she tipped a low shot around the foot of the post at full stretch.

Two goals in seven minutes provided a little breathing space for the home side. Daisy Bowen collected Jade Howell’s kick upfield and laid the ball infield to Beth Jones, who turned and hit a superb left foot shot across the ‘keeper and into the top far corner from 12 yards after 70 minutes (3-2)

Seven minutes later Aimee Healy-Raynor played the goalkeeper’s kick back towards the Long Eaton goal, Tash Collyer closed down and won the ball back off two defenders, drove into space and 2 yards in from the touchline and level with the six yards box she hit a lofted shot up and over the keeper (4-2).

A place in the semi-final was secured with four minutes of the ninety to play. From wide on the left touchline and level with the edge of the penalty area, Tash Collyer drove a free kick into the near post. Long Eaton’s goalkeeper slipped as she moved to the ball and was unable to hold on to the shot, Otty Baker almost put in the rebound but the goalkeeper blocked it - but the ball fell to Ellie-Mae Coleman and she made no mistake from 2 yards out (5-2). It was particularly pleasing to see Ellie get on the score sheet in only her third game back after an 18 month injury layoff.

After being second best for much of the first half there had been a strong reaction after the interval from The Pride, who competed much better in the second half and particularly after going 3-2 ahead - managing the final twenty minutes well to limit the supply to Long Eaton’s front line while creating chances of their own. There was a late flurry as the teams exchanged shots in the final couple of minutes - Jade Howell being equal to two efforts by Long Eaton - parrying a shot and reacting extremely quickly to gather the ball in before the striker could pounce, and a minute later out to close down the striker and narrow the angle - and may even have got a touch on the shot to divert it onto the foot of the far post in Long Eaton’s final attack.

Beth Jones and Tash Collyer, as the goalscorers and for their overall play were among the contenders for Player of the Match but it was awarded to Jade Howell for an excellent return in goal after an absence of two games.

Long Eaton remarked this was this was the best they have played all season and for the first half in particular - and up to 70 minutes - they certainly tested The Pride. It’s evident - and inevitable - teams are raising their game and in this instance there was the extra incentive of it being a cup game. The Pride face a challenge of a wholly different variety next Sunday, when the boot is on the other foot as they host Derby County Women Development - a team playing four tiers higher in the football pyramid - in the Derbyshire FA Women’s County Cup at Moorways (1.30pm).