Lincoln City Women dominated today at Ashby Avenue and deservedly took three points with a 3-0 victory over Birmingham and West Midlands Ladies.
The Imps made two changes from the mid-week line up against Leicester United. Captain, Chloe Brock-Taylor, returned from injury and started alongside Tia Johnson in place of Ryley Johnson and Emily Atkinson.
The first half was plagued with injuries for the visitors, with three lengthy breaks and two forced substitutions. The disruptions didn’t halt the strong play from the Imps; the BWM goalkeeper was tested constantly from the whistle.
Both teams fought hard to break the stalemate early in the game but Lincoln appeared to be in control of play, keeping possession in their attacking half. In the 32nd minute, Abbie Murrell enticed the opposition goalkeeper out of her goal, easily navigated around her and found the back of the net.
The team continued to pile on the pressure but the score remained 1-0 at half time.
The visitors played with more conviction in the second half, and were more challenging opponents. However, it wasn’t enough to take control of the game. In the 82nd minute, a cross from a free kick found Amy Blinkhorn in the box and she headed it home.
In the final minutes of the game, BWM conceded an own goal following a Lincoln corner and the game ended 3-0.
Manager, Richard Cooper, said: “I think the physicality of our game, the tenacity and intensity is there and I think that some of the teams we’re coming up against are struggling with that. We’ve got some powerful players. Training is going well, we’re working hard and we’re physically much stronger than we were last season and I think that shows in our performances.”
Lincoln City Women are back in action at Ashby Avenue next Sunday, 15th. West Bromwich Albion visit to fight for a place in the next round of the FAWNL Plate.
Still puzzled about the numbering of the Women's teams shirts. Emily Atkinson wore 30 against Bedworth and 20 against Birmingham. Again, in the Birmingham programme, the results page had the players numbered 1 to 11, and the photos of the players did not have a number by which to identify them. This is unhelpful to supporters who want to identify the players, and the inconsistencies embarrassing to the club.