Nottinghamshire U16 Girls 1 v 3 Lincolnshire U16 Girls

Notts started the game very positively, immediately attacking the Lincolnshire goal from left, right and centre, with Lottie Pidding, Annalise Daniel and Eve Raymond involved in a number of forays into the Lincolnshire box. However none ended in a clear attempt on goal. This continued for ten minutes until the Lincs backline managed to direct the ball to their left winger who made an extremely fast attack into the Notts last quarter. Having got free, the Lincs winger Emily Atkinson sent a superb cross from wide left into the box, just over goalkeeper Sophie Towle's fingertips, which was met by the central Lincs striker to put Lincolnshire one up against the run of play. It was also Atkinson who gave Notts trouble all match with surging runs down the left, who captain Naeve Archer dealt with as best she could. However, Notts continued to create the momentum through the speed of their three attackers and strength provided by Chloe Phillips and Asante Khamula in midfield. In fact, for periods of time, Notts were camped out in the Lincolnshire box during the first half, sadly to no avail. Whilst Lincs fielded a selection of RTC players, it was not obvious, either in the possession and vigour in which the first half was played by Notts and only shown by the finishing of the opposition. A late run by Atkinson again providing an excellent chance for Lincs to go two up, otherwise the attacks predominantly came from Notts which the scoreline at half time did not represent. 

Notts came out with determination after the half time break and within ten minutes Daniel had lobbed the ball from outside the box which the Lincs goalkeeper caught, but took into the goal, to allow the equaliser. Notts had realised Lincs were not playing their usual goalkeeper but this led to a number of flying challenges from the Lincs backline in order to defend their goal and this did disturb the Notts attacks. In the latter stages of the match, some skilful movement by the Lincs forwards and unfortunate missed tackles by the Notts defenders, Lincs were able to get into the Notts box and score two further goals. Notts did not come away with the result they wanted, having controlled sections of the game and looking like the stronger. Regardless of the result, notable mentions should go to the Notts defenders particularly Courtney Caunt, Ella McManus and the excellent Abbie Lockton who was playing her first full game for the representative team. Notts now have to wait for the final outcome of the eastern group. Lincs are now on 9 pts, Notts on 4 and Humberside on 1 pt. So Notts' progression into the semi finals of the Midlands Cup rests on the result of the final game between Humberside and Lincs.