Lincoln United Women lost 6-1 away to Sheffield FC Women in their FAWNL Midlands Division One fixture on Sunday.
The first half
The Home of Football Stadium in South Yorkshire was the venue for the first league meeting between the two.
The sides weren’t unfamiliar however; it was Sheffield who took the bragging rights back to South Yorkshire earlier this season with a 1-0 win in the FAWNL Cup.
With both sides struggling with form as of late, there seemed to be a lot on the line in the build-up to kick-off.
The hosts didn’t start with any nerves and were rewarded for their early efforts. Lexie Butterworth put Sheffield ahead within the first two minutes of the game. An early set-back for Nogueira’s Lincoln side.
The Whites started to grow into the game despite the setback – Chyna McIntosh played a perfectly-weighted through ball to Lucy Farrow down the right side, but her effort was too high to worry the Sheffield keeper.
More half chances for the Whites meant the game started to come to life, and the hosts capitalised.
The 40th minute saw two goals in quick succession from Lauren Winter and Stacey Buxton put Sheffield 3-0 up in the embers of the first half.
The first-half frustration was not over for the Whites – Buxton got her brace in stoppage time to put the hosts 4-0 up at the break.
A struggle in the second half
Despite the scoreline, a lot of good for the Whites was coming from out wide through Lucy Farrow. Her efforts were rewarded eight minutes into the second half. A curling effort from just outside the box had Sheffield keeper, Marina Boni with no chance.
Chances kept falling for Lincoln; on the hour mark, half-time substitute, Amanda Millar picked up a loose clearance on the edge of the box but her effort on goal just skipped by the far post.
Sheffield hit back with 15 to play. Halima Essa fired home to put the game out of sight.
The gruelling afternoon wasn’t over for the Whites. Essa got her brace in the final minutes of the game to give Sheffield a 6-1 lead as the contest came to a close.
The Whites play again on 9th November in a friendly against Doncaster Rovers Belles. Up the Whites.