Lincoln City Women host title-challengers Loughborough Lightning this Sunday in the last game of the 2023/24 campaign.
The Imps come in off the back of a 3-1 win away to Notts County, where City winger Jemima Footitt scored a beautiful goal that ended up winning the Imps’ goal of the month.
Their win versus County a fortnight ago secured safety in the division for next season, meaning Sunday’s game is for pride and a possible top-half finish.
Opposition: Loughborough Lightning
The same can’t be said for Loughborough, however. After drawing 1-1 to Sheffield two weeks ago, it’s now a must win game for the visitors if they stand any chance of winning the league.
The game was goalless going into half-time, and in the 72nd minute Lightning goal found the opener. However, an 89th minute equaliser by Sheffield’s Millie Fugler resulted in a massive upset.
Sheffield will potentially play a massive role once again in Loughborough’s title race. They play Sporting Khalsa this Sunday, who sit level on points with Lightning at the top of the table.
Team News:
City boss Lee Mitchell says his side are all fully fit and available and can ‘‘relax a bit’’, but insists they are still up for Sunday’s game.
He said: ‘‘I think the players are all up for it, we can relax and enjoy the last game of the season and put in a good performance and hopefully get a result as well which is what we’ll be after.’’
When asked if the players could go out on Sunday and express themselves, Mitchell said: ‘‘Yeah that’s what we want them to do and that’s when they play their best football ultimately. When you’re under pressure and you’re tense it goes throughout the team, we saw that at County when we came out in the second half.’’
‘‘The fact that they can enjoy it and we’ve got a full squad, full fitness, we had a good choice of players from the 16’s so as long as everyone gets through training, we’ll be good to,’’ he added.
Imps winger Maddi Green says this season has been full of ‘‘ups and downs’’, but that the team coped well to stick together.
She said: ‘‘We’ve all come together as one with them ups and downs, so we’ve all been together for the highs and lows.’’
Head-to-Head:
The two sides drew in dramatic fashion last time out, drawing 3-3 courtesy of a 95th minute strike by Lightning’s Lauren Purchase. If City play anything like they did last time out at Meadow Lane, the game is set to be another tight affair to round out the season.