On Sunday the girls took on North Conference side Ben Rhydding in the quarter final of the Investec Cup. Despite a slow start and a sloppy first half, it was Buckingham who took the lead after just eight minutes when player of the match Katrina Nicholson scrambled the ball home. However, to their credit, the visitors had come to play. They gave as good as they got and always remained a threat. Their positivity paid off when some soft defending and a good back hand finish saw them level things after twenty two minutes. Buckingham responded well and re took the lead again with just six minutes remaining in the first half. A period of pressure and some good build up play involving Hone led to Leanne Grimsley scoring from close range.
Buckingham started the second half really positively. They began to dictate proceedings with their high tempo passing game and created three or four good scoring opportunities inside the opening ten minutes. Grimsley had a glorious chance to extend Buckingham’s lead after fifteen minutes but could not quite finish off a fantastic passing move. A period of extended pressure that included a number penalty corners finally saw the home side extend their lead. On a rebound from a penalty corner, Abbie Brant fired home against her old side to make the score 3-1. Despite creating a number of other clear scoring opportunities, Buckingham could not extend their lead further and the visitors were rewarded for their efforts with just two minutes remaining when they scored with a swift counter attack following a cheap midfield turnover. Buckingham responded immediately and looked to have restored their two goal advantage when Izzy Peskett poached the ball home on the far post. Although the umpire at the playing end awarded the goal it was strangely overruled by the disengaged umpire. However, this did not alter the outcome and the deserved win sees Buckingham into the semi finals of the cup for the fourth time in five years.