Clinical finishing accompanied by a solid defensive showing resulted in ‘The Whites’ progressing to the next round of the League Cup after comfortably beating Dunton & Broughton United 7-1.

A relatively quiet start to the game was dominated by the pressing styles adopted by both sides. On her return to the team, Ellie Gilliat showed why she has previously played in the Championship with her pace and skill causing the away side’s defence problems. Kaitlin Peaker also got into dangerous positions as she also made her return to the starting lineup.

The opening goal of the game came from Peaker after 29 minutes. Lauren Churcher supplied her with a cross from the left, which evaded all the defenders before Peaker met it at the back post to tap into the open goal.

#TheWhites 1 - 0 Dunton & Broughton United

The visitors had occasional attacks but struggled to stop continued flow of chances from ‘The Whites’. With only two minutes left until half time, Gilliat doubled the home side’s lead after good play from Churcher and Tracey Duxbury-Mead. Churcher displayed her off-the-ball work to win possession back before playing Duxbury-Mead down the left wing. She cut it back to Gilliat who produced a composed first-time finish into the bottom left corner.

#TheWhites 2 - 0 Dunton & Broughton United

Gilliat could have got her second goal minutes later but was unable to connect with the ball after Churcher passed Duxbury-Mead to cross into the box again.

Lincoln United 2 - 0 Dunton & Broughton (HT)

It didn’t take long after half time for the hosts to further-extend their lead when Duxbury-Mead scored her first goal of the game in the 51st minute. Churcher showed good footwork to set up the striker inside the box but she didn’t place her shot as well as she would’ve hoped to and gave the keeper the chance to make a good save. She didn’t let it worry her though as from the resulting corner she converted the ball into the net at the back post.

#TheWhites 3 - 0 Dunton & Broughton United

It took her only two minutes to claim her second goal, as Gilliat’s shot following a corner hit Duxbury-Mead on the line and the ball fell into the goal.

#TheWhites 4 - 0 Dunton & Broughton United

Within a minute, Dunton & Broughton had pulled a goal back. A run down the right wing led to what appeared to be a cross flying over Rosie Davidson in goal and into the back of the net.

#TheWhites 4 - 1 Dunton & Broughton United

Gilliat continued to have efforts towards goal before she scored her second goal after 62 minutes. Taking an incredible free kick from 40 yards out, she smashed the ball into the underside of the crossbar and watched it bounce over the line.

#TheWhites 5 - 1 Dunton & Broughton United

The first change in personnel came when Zoë Devonport replaced Peaker in attack.

Four minutes after her second, Gilliat scored her third goal and secured her first hat-trick for ‘The Whites’. Demi Barai assisted her with an unbelievable cross-field pass before the goalscorer cut inside then fired another thunderbolt into the net, not giving the keeper any chance of saving it.

#TheWhites 6 - 1 Dunton & Broughton United

Ten minutes of sustained attacking opportunities began as Gilliat, captain Chloe Hodgson, from 35 yards out, and Duxbury-Mead all came within inches of increasing the lead.

Churcher continued her dazzling creative performance as this time she set up Barai for her first goal with 78 minutes on the clock. Churcher moved with the ball into the box then played it to Barai, whose drilled effort beat the keeper.

#TheWhites 7 - 1 Dunton & Broughton United

Devonport almost added her name to the goalscorer’s list but she was ruled offside after she lifted the ball over the keeper.

The final whistle came and brought an end to an extremely dominant second half performance from the home side.

Lincoln United 7 - 1 Dunton & Broughton United (FT)

They’ll hope to recreate their attacking threat next Sunday when Skegness Town visit Ashby Avenue in the Lincolnshire Cup, 1pm KO.

Match report by James Ede

Match photo Ed Mayes Photography