Lincoln City fell short in league action at Moorlands, eventually coming out with a 2-3 loss to high-flying Solihull Moors.
The Imps came into the FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands game having won one in the last five games, losing the other four. As for Solihull, they had three wins in the last five, losing one and drawing another.
First Half:
The first ten minutes of the game provided an even display. Both teams pressed very well but couldn’t provide the right final ball. The best chance of the opening minutes of the game came for the hosts, as Hardy set McHamilton through, who squared it to Green. Despite time and space, her effort was poor as she sliced it wide of goal.
Solihull Moors missed a golden chance as the half hour mark passed. Some good football led to Tiana Cartwright being free in the Imps’ box. A golden opportunity, Cartwright attempted to pass the ball into the bottom corner. Her effort beat Timson but wasn’t on target and skimmed past the post.
It was still goalless after 30 minutes, but Moors grew into the game stronger, pegging Lincoln back into their own half. Timson was called into action on many occasions but was a wall between the sticks when the Imps needed her.
Solihull Moors eventually took the lead deep into first half stoppage time. Tiana Cartwright picked the ball up in the centre of The Imps’ penalty box, before firing her shot in the bottom right corner.
The first half started off even, but Lincoln dwindled out of the game, allowing Solihull Moors to come into the game and become more dangerous. Timson did well to stop the visitor’s multiple times but was finally beaten. Lincoln gave themselves a lot to do in the second 45.
Second Half:
Solihull doubled their lead early in the second half. A few clearances by the Imps couldn’t get Lincoln far enough forward, and the ball dropped to Ruparelia who curled her effort beautifully into the top corner. Timson had no chance! Lincoln needed to improve to get something out of the game.
Timson was called into action just before the hour mark. Solihull managed to get behind the defensive line again and saw themselves one on one with the Imps keeper. However, a strong leg managed to stop the ball from trickling into the net.
Moors scored a third as they looked to cruise to a victory. Malik made a good run in behind the Lincoln defence and beat Timson with a beautiful turn. Timson was already beaten, meaning she only needed to hit the target. The third goal saw Solihull almost confirmed winners, and too much for Lincoln to handle.
Lincoln started to come back and attack later in the game. The additions of Fletcher, Wood, and Robinson were positive, with all three playing dangerous passes through. Unfortunately, the final ball couldn’t stick, and they weren’t able to create any real danger for Solihull’s defence.
Finally, Lincoln managed to get a goal back. A corner came in, but a goalmouth scramble led to a few different efforts aimed goalwards. Eventually, Chantelle Robinson managed to hit her effort into the back of the net.
The goal gave Lincoln a real buzz, and they ended the second half similar to how they started the first. The final ball wasn’t there though, and they couldn’t get themselves back into it.
Lincoln got another one back deep into injury time. Farrow picked the ball up in Solihull’s final third and drove towards the box. She did well to beat the two defenders and get herself through on goal. Eventually, a calm and composed finish beat the defender and gave Lincoln a chance at the death.
Lincoln City 2-3 Solihull Moors
An unfortunate result for the Imps, as they couldn’t do enough to get anything out of the game. They made it hard for Solihull towards the end, pressing from the front and doing well to put a few in the Moors defence.
With another 10 minutes, City may have managed to get a third and earn an impressive point against tricky opposition.
Next up for Lee Mitchell’s Lincoln is a trip to Sheffield FC in league action on Thursday, October 12.