The Women's Academy have had a great start to the new year two home games and two positive performances and results. Our latest fixture was a cup game vs Sheffield United at Home.
The game started with both teams trying to play and work out the opposition, two different styles meant that the Imps had to adapt and figure out a new system to play against. The game was equal for the opening ten minutes when Lincoln started to play, fantastic team play opened the scoring with nearly every player contributing before a fantastic through ball was finished by Izzy! This started a spell of play that resulted in Lincoln continuing to pressure the opposition and Izzy was at hand again to tap the ball past the keeper to put the Imps 2-0 up.
The second goal seemed to kick the opposition into life and the next period of play was equal with Lincoln having more chances to score but Sheffield also started to create chances of their own resulting in some good defending at the back by Alisha, Kelsey, Iona and Maddi who kept the momentum in Lincolns Favour. Becca in holding midfield provided the back four with not only cover but an outlet to play and this started off most of our attacks with some brilliant one and two touch passing to get past the opposition pressure.
The rest of the game was much the same, Sheffield did not drop off and our goalkeeper in both halves had to stay alert but also had to be key to us playing out from the back, Lauren and Jojo both performing and improving week on week. Maddi who had made an appearance for the Women's team in the fourth round of the FA cup against Liverpool the previous Sunday had brought that confidence back with her. Playing left-back she has the freedom to attack still, combining with Scarlett, Izzy, and Morgan we looked to get more goals and was rewarded. Maddi finishing the attacks and getting herself a Hatrick put the game to bed sealed by Lily who has been recovering from an injury making an appearance to hit a cross-field finish into the far corner.
Sheffield did not stop and pushed the Imps to the end scoring twice but the goal threat and defence meant we take the 6-3 win and are into the next round of the cup!