Lincoln United continued their 100% record in the East Midlands Women Regional Football League, fashionably beating Basford United 5-0.
In the four games played before today, Lincoln had won all four, scoring 28 and conceding just two. As for Basford, two wins from the first four in a strong start, but they wouldn’t prove strong enough competition for Lincoln.
First-Half:
Lincoln started off very strong. Ellie Gilliatt ran down the wing before sending a cross into the penalty box. Jess Hogg controlled it back across goal, before Alice Hayes buried her effort. It was all too much for Basford to stop and Lincoln found themselves 1-0 up in the first ten minutes.
Lincoln made it 2-0 just five minutes later. It was a move constructed by Ellie Gilliatt and finished by her too. She did brilliantly to run through the defence, and after linking up with Sally Cairns, she took the ball in and shot on the turn. This gave Lincoln a comfortable lead.
This slowed the game down. The Whites kept possession and played very well on the ball, but their final ball let them down. Despite creating chances, there was never much to test Emma Porter in the Basford net.
Lincoln scored their third five minutes before half time. Ellie Gilliatt’s beautiful effort from 25 yards out beat the keeper as it hit the underside of the crossbar and finished in the back of the net. Lincoln looked sure of keeping their fine winning record intact.
It was a solid first half for Lincoln. They played well as a team and were very threatening in attack. Chris Funnell’s team were unfortunate not to score more than three.
Very little happened to concern The Whites’ defence, as they looked comfortable and strong as a unit.
Second-Half:
Lincoln started the second half in the exact same way as they started the first. Demi Barai scored a beautiful volley from a cross in a dangerous area. Basford goalkeeper Porter didn’t stand a chance of saving it as Lincoln made their mark early in the half.
Basford had their first real chance soon after. Laura Porritt got in behind the defence and saw herself in a one-on-one opportunity with goalkeeper Amy Hood. After giving herself a better opportunity, she opened and released her shot, but it was high and wide. This was the first threat that endangered Lincoln’s clean sheet.
The second chance came knocking 15 minutes later. A poor back pass led to Georgia Gladwin being through on goal after clever anticipation. With only Amy Hood to beat, she scuffed her chance wide, keeping Lincoln four in front.
Lincoln kept the goals ticking, scoring their fifth. Ten minutes before full time, Gilliatt scored her hat-trick. Picking the ball up just outside the box, her effort beat the goalkeeper and secured what has been a comfortable game for Lincoln.
Lincoln looked sure to score their sixth but somehow Kaitlin Peaker missed a golden opportunity. The chance, created by Giliatt, bulleted off the post and into the path of Peaker, who’s first chance blazed wide of the post.
Lincoln United Women 5-0 Basford United Women:
In the end, it was a convincing performance for Lincoln United, who have won all five of their league games so far this season. Ellie Gilliatt proved yet again that she is a clinical goalscorer, and had a major part to play in almost all of The White’s goals, scoring three of them.
Next up for Lincoln United Women is a trip across Lincolnshire to face Grimsby Town Academy on Sunday, October 5th.