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If Lincoln’s 2-0 win over Everton last Sunday was “one of the best in the club’s history”, a comprehensive victory at home to Liverpool must have had manager Rod Wilson positively purring as the Lady Imps came from behind to keep their dreams of finishing fourth in the Women’s Super League alive.
Like Lincoln, Liverpool came into the game buoyed by a victory the previous week, Robbie Johnson’s side defeating Chelsea in what was their first win of the season.
The
two sides faced each other in the reverse fixture back in May with Lincoln
midfielder Lucy Stanifold scoring the solitary goal to give Lincoln the
victory.
Between
them, the two sides had only scored fifteen goals prior to this match-up so a
goal-filled game was not really expected.
Right
from the off, though, it was clear that both teams wanted to attack at will and
two misjudgements from Lincoln goalkeeper Nicola Hobbs created havoc in her own
penalty area early on. With ten minutes gone Hobbs failed to claim the ball
with little pressure on only to recover well, blocking Chloe Jones’ shot from close-range.
Just minutes later Jones’s freekick from the right found Nicola Twohig at the
back post, towering over Megan Harris and heading past a flailing Hobbs to give
Liverpool a deserved lead.
Lincoln
began to grow into the game in front of the Sincil Bank crowd as Stanifold and
Allen worked tirelessly in midfield, although Hobbs again underestimated the
flight of the ball and could only watch on as, eventually, Nicki Harding
crashed a shot against the bar from just outside the area.
It
was the home team, though, who scored next. The equaliser was steeped in
controversy as Sue Smith’s corner appeared to be finished off by Leandra
Little, who seemed to use her hand to draw the teams level. The in-swinging corner
was heading towards goal anyway but the Liverpool defence struggled to cope
with the power and sheer height of Little.
Some
poor defending in The Reds’ penalty area again then saw Lincoln take the lead –
Casey Stoney bundling in after desperate defensive play from Vicky Jones and
Gibbons. Liverpool levelled again, though, just moments later – and just before
half-time – as Katie Brusell’s fearsome shot was deflected into the top corner.
It
was straight from a Smith corner once more that Liverpool took the lead shortly
after the break. While the goal was less controversial, the defending on show
from a Liverpool perspective was just as poor as Smith’s first, with Vicky
Jones unable to keep the ball out at the front post. Lincoln clearly realised
that their opposition were poor at dealing with high balls into the box,
especially ones that were as fast-paced and dangerous as Smith’s corners, as
the delivery from the wings was constantly threatening.
The
front three for Lincoln – Smith, Jodie Taylor and Jess Clarke – weren’t exactly
fluid, but they didn’t need to be; Smith and Clarke were able to double up on
full-backs and Clarke, particularly, was able to roam free, sometimes through
the middle but mostly hugging either touchline. This meant that Taylor could
feed off the players behind her, dragging defenders away from her teammates and
showcasing her excellent movement.
Clarke
herself got on the scoresheet, tapping home after Little – who was put up front
after Mel Sutcliffe came on for Taylor – saw her header crash against the post.
The goal was something of a reward for Clarke’s diligent and relentless
wing-work and, although Smith and central-midfielder Remi Allen also put in
superb performances, Clarke was the most direct and menacing player on the
pitch.
There
were late chances for Liverpool – Chloe Jones had a shot bravely blocked by Stoney,
Michelle Evans cracked a volley against the bar and Kelly Jones, after good
hold-up play from Evans, smacked a shot straight into the hands of Hobbs. But
Lincoln controlled the second half, dominated parts of the first and deserved
the victory overall.
