Lincoln United Women fly into the next round of the League Cup, putting seven past Dronfield Town Ladies in a convincing win.
The Whites came into the game in fine form after beating Mansfield Town Ladies last time out. A few rotational changes were made to allow other players to get a full run out, but it didn’t affect the way Lincoln United played.
First-Half:
Just like last weekend, it was a very good start from the Whites. They had chances very early, notably in the 4th minute when the ball came in from a corner and bounced around in the six-yard box.
Two minutes later the first goal of the game was scored, a defence-splitting pass from Brock-Taylor allowed Lauren Churcher to be one-on-one with the Dronfield ‘keeper, who couldn’t stop her calmly finish into the bottom corner.
The first ten minutes were all Lincoln United, they could have easily scored more with the many chances they had, Dronfield were struggling to keep control of the ball with the hosts not allowing them to attack their half.
A great chance for Ellie Gilliatt came swiftly after, where she failed to convert from an inch-perfect ball across the six-yard box.
However, Lincoln United kept persistent and they managed to score another. In the 16th minute, Gilliatt took on a few players down the right-hand side, before crossing for a Demi Barai finish.
Two goals came in quick succession as Churcher latched on to the end of Olivia Smith’s over-the-top ball and scored with an outrageous dink above the Dronfield Town goalkeeper, making it 3-0 to the Whites.
At the half-an-hour point, Ellie Gilliatt won a penalty for the Whites after a nice bit of skill right on the edge of the Dronfield box. The penalty was converted in fine fashion by Olivia Smith who smashed the ball into the side netting, making it 4-0.
As half-time approached Lincoln United scored their fifth of the match, Smith notching her second of the afternoon, tapping home a rebound after a shot from Gilliatt was saved.
There were more and more chances for Lincoln, as they could of have had seven or eight. However, Katie Davison’s side settled for a five-goal lead after some good defending from the Dronfield centre-backs denied any more goal-scoring opportunities.
Second-Half:
It was the perfect start for Lincoln United after the break as some great skill by Gilliatt, as she found Churcher, who played a great ball to Betsy Thomas at the back-stick for her to score with her very first touch of the game after coming on.
Dronfield’s first real opportunity came in the 50th minute, but great covering from Thomas denied the attempted across into the box.
Then, another good opportunity for the visitors as their striker got played in-behind with the ‘keeper rushing out. However, she pulled her shot wide.
Lincoln United made four subs as they looked to shift around the team to allow other players to get some minutes. Bogg made an instant impact from the bench as she hit the inside of the post from the right-hand side of the box.
The final ten minutes approached with Lincoln controlling the ball and trying to keep possession to run down the clock. A late attack in the 85th minute of the game saw the final goal of the afternoon. Thomas with some good work on the left found Paige Crossman in the six-yard box, who tapped home into an empty net to score her first goal for the club.
Lincoln United Women 7-0 Dronfield Town Ladies:
Overall, it was a very dominant performance from Lincoln United; a great first-half, and a very controlled second-half seeing the Whites cruise to the next round of the league cup.
The Whites now divert their attention to a huge clash as they face Lincoln City Women in the Lincolnshire FA County Cup next Sunday. After the match, United Assistant Manager Kate Davison said: “We’re hoping to win the treble.”
Last season they beat Lincoln City Women 2-0 in the final of the County Cup, so will be hoping for a repeat of that next week against Lee Mitchell’s side.