Lincoln United Women were beaten by Barnsley in their final of the 2024/25 season.
It was all sunshine and smiles before the game at Ashby Avenue as the Whites’ hosted Barnsley Women for their last league game of their debut in the FA Women’s National League.
Manager Lee Mitchell made one change to the side that were beaten a fortnight ago; an attacking change saw Alice Hayes replace Piper O’Neill.
Lincoln started fast and had their first chance just 20 seconds in. Hayes chased a loose ball over the top, but she could not direct her shot goalwards to test the Barnsley ‘keeper.
A back and forth start saw a huge chance fall Barnsley’s way on the 15-minute mark. Jodie Snelson’s cross found Caroline Nuttall at the back post, but an incredible save from Gray denied the visitors an opener from just three yards out.
Barnsley’s pressure eventually broke the deadlock with just over five minutes left of the first half. Nuttall’s cross fell perfectly for Snelson at the back post who hammered it home to put the visitors ahead just before the break.
After a scrappy start to the second half, Barnsley doubled their advantage in the 54th minute. Nuttall’s through ball was weighted perfectly for Snelson who coolly slotted her effort into the far corner for her brace.
Barnsley started to dominate proceedings as the game went on. Snelson was unlucky not to make it a hat-trick for herself after a handful of good opportunities went begging.
The game slowly died out as the final whistle loomed. A half-chance fell for the Whites’ in the closing stages, but it wasn’t meant to be in the end.
Lincolnshire County Cup Final next up:
It was not the result the Whites’ would have hoped to finish their league season with, but now their attention turns to the County Cup final against rivals Lincoln City on Friday, May 3.
United manager Mitchell said: “I thought it was a good, competitive game and if we bring that physicality and intensity to Friday, we’ll be in good shape.
“The girls have been superb, I cant speak highly enough of them this season. We just want to finish on a high next week.”
The Whites face their cross-city rivals at the Jakemans Community Stadium in their final game of the term.