Boldmere St. Michaels manages a late winner to deny Lincoln City Women a point. Lincoln came from behind to lead 2-1 at half-time in a topsy-turvy game before Boldmere scored two second-half goals to claim all three points.
Lee Mitchell’s side came into the game off the back of a heavy 4-0 victory over Northampton Town last Sunday.
They sat third in the FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands with 13 points. Boldmere were in sixth, but unbeaten due to a couple of postponements so far this season.
The two sides met in a cup fixture in August, with Boldmere running away 3-0 winners. The Imps would’ve been hoping for a change of fortunes at the Soper of Lincoln Elite Performance Centre.
First-Half
Boldmere St. Michaels started brightest, creating a number of chances early on. Lincoln City had chances of their own, as Cassie Steward forced a good save and Leah Hardy headed over.
It was the visitors who broke the deadlock in the 14th minute, as Lana Timson got down well to save a Chloe Bickley effort only for Pip Wilson to tap in the rebound.
Lincoln were defending resolutely and managed to withstand a number of Boldmere attacks after the goal.
Gabby Maia turned and shot from the edge of the box before goalscorer Wilson threatened the Lincoln game with a stern effort.
The Imps came back into the game after the 25th minute, as the match took on a more end to end flow. However, Lincoln struggled to create real goal scoring opportunities despite their battling play.
Boldmere were having no such trouble as they almost doubled their lead on 30 minutes. Bickley laid the ball off to Nyah Edwards, who was denied by a great Timson spot.
In the 37th minute, Lincoln drew level. Maddi Green whipped in a corner and Ella Thompson-Moulding dutifully headed in her second goal of the season.
Remarkably, in the last few minutes before the break, Leah Hardy had a couple of audacious attempts from 35 yards out. The first was a free-kick that flew just over the crossbar. Then, a minute later she let fly while off-balance and stunningly lobbed Jodie Whiteman in the Boldmere net.
Hardy’s finish completed a first-half comeback that didn’t look on the cards after a physical Boldmere side started in energetic fashion.
Second-Half
The second-half started in slower fashion as both sides struggled to create. Lincoln made a chance at half-time, as Faith Horner replaced Katie Williams in midfield.
The first chance of the half came after the 50th minute as Steward forced a good save out of Whiteman.
Just prior to the 60 minute mark, Lucy Farrow came on for Maddi Green as the Imps made their second change.
Then came the Boldmere equaliser as Hayleigh Sutton shot from long-range and watched as the ball looped into the top corner.
The visitors were forced into a change in the 68th minute as Ella Bryan replaced the injured Michelle Pasco. The second-half descended into a much scrappier affair, as both sides searched for the winner.
With 15 minutes to go, Boldmere almost found the winner as a Timson save was parried onto the centre of the box. Thompson-Moulding came to Lincoln’s rescue as she tackled the on-rushing Boldmere attacker and stopped what would’ve been a clear goal.
In the 80th minute, Millie Quaintance replaced Toni McHamilton and almost made an instant impact as she tried to place the ball behind Whiteman. The Boldmere ‘keeper comfortably saved the shot.
In injury time, Boldmere found a winner. Jess Keeling rose highest from a corner to nod the ball into the back of Timson’s net.
Lincoln City Women 2-3 Boldmere St. Michaels
Boldmere came away from the EPC with all three points thanks to an injury time winner. The game went back-and-forth throughout and came down to the finest of margins.
Lincoln lost their unbeaten home record and Boldmere retained their unbeaten start to the campaign.
After the match, Lee Mitchell said: “It was a case of fine margins, those set pieces can make a difference.” He added: “I thought we should’ve just seen the game out.”
Next Sunday, Lincoln City Women head to Sutton Coldfield.