Lincoln City Women’s Manager, Lee Mitchell, reflected on the fact it has been a mixed start to the 2022/23 season and stressed the importance of managing expectations after last season’s success.
He argued that all season long, his side have been ‘there or thereabouts’, with many tight games in which the Imps have struggled to play well for a full 90 minutes.
Mitchell claimed how these sorts of performances are now being punished by other sides, whereas last season, those matches may have gone Lincoln’s way.
He discussed how no season is the same and that although he thought the Imps would do better at first, it does take time to settle after new arrivals and tactical adjustments.
Mitchell did reassure however, that in the past couple of games City have begun to show the club identity that was wanted. He now feels they have gained momentum and have fit into the roles they are used to.
The Leafield Athletic match, in which Lincoln won 3-2 away from home, was described as a ‘tough’ game by Mitchell. It was a ‘difficult place to go’ and he claimed they would have been happy with a point, but to get all three, in difficult weather conditions, was a huge boost and demonstration of character. This could act as a turning point for the Imps’ season, showing a change of mentality.
This momentum was carried into the 13-0 Long Eaton United victory and the Imps will hope it acts as a springboard going into the Christmas period. Against a side that was rebuilding, Lincoln played well with Toni McHamilton, Jess Rousseau, Maddi Green and Katie Williams all impressing.
Mitchell was particularly pleased with the clean sheet and well rounded, hard-working performance. He commented that McHamilton’s double hat trick will have done her confidence ‘the world of good’.
Rousseau also got a hat trick and Green seems to be ‘finding her feet’. He complimented Farrow for her instrumental role in the game, breaking the lines. Meanwhile, other players who needed minutes got their opportunities, such as the returning Chantelle Robinson and Katy Thornley.
Mitchell claimed that they are not getting carried away after successive league victories but staying humble and will keep ‘grafting’. Certain players leaving has given chances for others to step up and has “changed the mentality of the group for the better”. Consistency of performances is the key with these new players, Mitchell added.