Report: Imps v Stoke
- Lincoln City Women
- Aug 25, 2019
- 2 min read
Penalty heartbreak at Ashby Avenue as Lincoln City Women fail to progress in the League Cup.
After two hours of play in stifling hot conditions, Stoke City Women denied Lincoln City the chance to compete for the FA Women’s National League Cup.
"They've been a credit to women's football today"
The team made two changes from last Sunday’s starting 11 against Wolves Women. Amy Hunt made her debut just two days after signing for the Imps. Hunt and Daisy Marsh started in place of Amy Kay and Amy Blinkhorn.
Despite Stoke competing a league higher than Lincoln, the Imps held their own from the first whistle and it didn’t take long for them to take the lead. In the 7th minute, Emily Atkinson scored her debut goal for Lincoln, receiving the ball from Abbie Murrell just outside the box and sending it into the top right corner of the goal.
In the 25th minute, Stoke leveled and the score remained 1-1 at half time.
Just five minutes into the second half, Murrell added to the scoresheet. Play was end to end for the whole of the second half. With just 10 minutes to go in the game, a high through ball landed perfectly for a Stoke striker and they once again leveled the score.
The scoreline was 2-2 at the end of the second half and after a lengthy drinks break the two teams started a further 30 minutes of play. Neither side found a winning goal despite some strong attempts from the visitors. Amy Halloran in the Lincoln goal was put to the test until the whistle blew to bring the extra time to an end.
Despite goals from Murrell, Eden Pedersen, and Katy Thornley as the game went to penalties, the Imps lost 4-3 on penalties and will now enter the FAWNL Plate competition as Stoke progress for the Cup.
Manager, Richard Cooper, said:
“I think we’ve really given Stoke a hell of a game today. They’re a team from a higher division, they’ve got high ambitions and expectations. And when all is said and done, our team has more than matched them.”
Lincoln City Women are back in league action at Ashby Avenue on Sunday 1st September against Bedworth United at 2pm.
First time watching this women’s team. In the past supported & volunteered for Ooh Lincoln Ladies prior to the move to FAWSL. This team has so much potential, it was an exciting game which had me gripped through out. They played so well over the 120minutes in extreme heat with the pace which must have been draining. I will certainly be supporting this team & look forward to an exciting future.
Really hard luck for the girls yesterday. Hot conditions and playing a team a league above, but well done them for giving an excellent account of themselves. Onwards and upwards, ladies!!