Haven't been back to Sincil Bank since Lincoln Ladies finished, fantastic that the Women's County Cup final should be held there. A chance also to catch up with some old friends and former Ladyimp fans like myself now continuing their support of women's football through Nettleham Ladies and beyond.
Nettleham Ladies are the current holders of the County Cup. Play in the East Midlands Regional Premier League where they lay in 2nd place. Winterton Rangers LFC are the underdogs in todays final playing two leagues below Nettleham. Final's day at Sincil Bank the pitch looking lush was a little cut up as the teams warmed up. The weather still bright and sunny as evening approached.
Nettleham Ladies starting XI - Rosie Davidson, Shelley Futter, Tana Vengrinova, Mica Taylor, Stacey Ainsthorpe, Leanne Woodhead (C), Ashlyn Mester, Jen Purnell, Zuzie Pramukova, Holly Newman & Katue Davison
Winterton Rangers LFC starting XI - Kerry Eccles, Kelly Clarvis, Emma Caterall, Nicky Dawson, Claire Chappill, Steph Warner, Leanne Eccles (C), Kirsty Shaw, Emily Wright, Hayley Shaw & Alex McNeive
Nettleham in their sky blue kit got the final under way against Winterton lined up all in red. It was Nettleham with the early pressing Jen Purnell with the early effort on goal the strike lifted over the bar from a good distance out.
Winterton captain Leanne Eccles looks to have picked up an injury is limping early on. Her team mate no 6 Steph Warner looks a threat out wide right, has a strong run towards Nettleham's goal shoot's under prressure the effort going wide.
Leanne Eccles cannot continue and is carried off by her team mates a sad end to the captain's final as she is replaced by Jess Akester.
Nettleham have been probing and testing their opponents. Zuzie Pramukova out on the left makes a run and unleashes a fiercly driven shot across goal that Winterton goalkeeper Kerry Eccles makes a great save to put it behind for a corner.
Rosie Davidson is quick off her line when Sheph Warner is through on her goal to kick the ball clear of danger. Nettleham's Stacey Ainsthorpe looking to receive the ball into her feet turns and shhots the blocked effort looping up towards goal swerves away for a corner. Coming in the corner is delivered far post and headed over by Nettleham's Holly Newman.
Nettleham are putting Winterton under increased pressure the final ball though just won't fall kindly for them. Winterton are working hard doing well keeping a solid shape to thwart Nettleham.
Pramukova feeds a good ball into the path of Ainsthorpe, Kerry Eccles though does well to close the striker down.
Eccles is on hand minutes later as Holly Newman this time puts in a cross from the right of the penalty box the Winterton keeper claiming well as Nettleham's players close in. The pressure eventually tells though a corner won is put into the box from the right comes over to the far post and there is Holly Newman to head it home 1-0.
Nettleham break from their own box after Winterton win a corner Pramukova on the left with a strike 20 yards out goes wide of the goal. Pramukova is in on goal moments later receiving the ball from a long pass she is central runs towards goal can't be caught, Eccles tries to stop her diving at her feet inside the box almost takes the ball but it squirms clear Pramukova goes round Eccles and taps the ball into the empty net 2-0.
Ainsthorpe has a run to the by line pulls ball back superbly into the path of Newman who tees up a shot that Eccles does fantastically well to push over her cross bar for a corner.
Half-time Nettleham Ladies 2-0 Winterton Rangers LFC
In the 1st half Winterton had worked extremely hard to frustrate Nettleham but couldn't hold out as the pressure and that final ball eventually came. It's Winterton who kick off the 2nd half. The 1st chance comes to Nettleham, Ainsthorpe does well beating her marker puts a good ball in across Winterton's goal and there is team mate Newman at the far post with a free header to make it 3-0.
Katie Davison getting forwards has a pop from the edge of the box which Winterton block. At the other end Winterton have a rare attack Hayley Shaw putting her cross behind their opponents goal.
Eccles continues to produce quality saves pushes another well delivered Ainsthorpe cross behind. Putting Winterton's defence under pressure on the right a cross is squirmed through looping into the six yard box central Katie Davison is free meets the ball with a volley too much contact it is sent over the bar.
Pramukova is played in once again by Ainsthorpe she over runs the ball however and Eccles out quickly is able to gather. Leanne Woodhead and Ashlyn Mester are subbed replaced by Linnie Hewitt and Tiff Lunn. Gemma Blades comes on for Winterton.
Ainsthorpe has been working up a head of steam in the 2nd half has been a real handful for the Winterton defence to deal with with her powerful runs and strength on the ball. Makes a determined run into the box shoots early hard and low across the keeper to make it 4-0.
Ainsthorpe has another opportunity to score minutes later this time Winteton drive her across the penalty box forcing her to go wide, the striker improvises stabs the ball goal wards with the outside of her boot, the effort brushes the outside of the post.
4 goals become 5 the scorer Ainsthorpe as she sticks a foot out to send the ball into the goal at the near post from a well delivered ball from team mate Newman.
Out wide right Tiff Lunn has an effort on goal hit well enough it just won't come down and goes over the bar. Late on Lunn has another chance central this time outside the box it look to be heading in but is wide.
Full time and Nettleham Ladies win the match 5-0 to win the County Cup for a 2nd year in a row. Congratulations to Nettleham, their opponents Winterton did themselves proud was a valiant effort especially in the 1st half.
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