MATCH REPORT: LINCOLN UNITED WFC 7 - 1 BASFORD UNITED LFC

Another goal-filled encounter between ‘The Whites’ and Basford United finished in a 7-1 win for the home side at Ashby Avenue.

The majority of the first half was a story of the hosts having shot after shot but not being able to find a way past the visitors’ keeper. Lauren Churcher had the chance to break the deadlock after Betsy Thomas won a penalty. Her first attempt went wide, but the referee allowed her to re-take it as the keeper was off her line before she kicked the ball. However, her second attempt hit the post and the ball went out for a goal kick.

Ellie Gilliatt began to run the opposition’s defence ragged with her immense dribbling and pace. One of her opponents resorted to fouling her, which caused Gilliatt to react angrily and the referee gave both players a yellow card. She also had an injury scare shortly after but, after 3 minutes on the ground, she was able to continue.

In the 44th minute, Basford almost snuck into the lead after a mix-up in defence between Chloe Hodgson and Thomas. The away side’s striker was able to pinch the ball and shoot, but Rosie Davidson did well to get down low and tip the ball past the post.

Only two minutes later, ‘The Whites’ finally converted one of their chances as Thomas and Demi Barai combined well. Thomas played a great ball over the heads of the defence, and the advancing Barai was the first to the ball and lifted it over the keeper into the net.

#TheWhites 1 - 0 Basford United LFC

In the fifth minute of added time, the hosts’ lead was doubled by Gilliatt. The ball was kicked through to Basford’s keeper but she miskicked it and gave Gilliatt a chance to take it. The forward wasted no time in shooting from 25 yards out and, as the ball deflected off a defender, the keeper didn’t have enough time to recover before the ball rolled into the goal.

#TheWhites 2 - 0 Basford United LFC

Lincoln United WFC 2 - 0 Basford United LFC (HT)

Six minutes into the second half, the side in yellow pulled a goal back and initiated an increase in the home side’s concentration. The goal came from a quick counter-attack before an away attacker finished past Davidson.

#TheWhites 2 - 1 Basford United LFC

Chris Funnell made his first substitution not long later as Liv Smith replaced Tallulah Freeman. With 63 minutes on the clock, ‘The Whites’ restored their two-goal lead through Tracey Duxbury-Mead. She was in the perfect position to finish after Gilliatt’s volley flew straight up in the air, and hit the ball into the ground and watched it bounce over the keeper.

#TheWhites 3 - 1 Basford United LFC

The ball would bounce over the keeper into the net again three minutes later. This time, Gilliatt raced through on goal and her shot bobbled just in front of the keeper and went over her.

#TheWhites 4 - 1 Basford United LFC

More changes came as Kaitlin Peaker and Zoë Devonport replaced Churcher and Duxbury-Mead. Gilliatt claimed her hat-trick in the 74th minute as the ball fell to her from a corner and she smashed it past the keeper.

#TheWhites 5 - 1 Basford United LFC

As the 90th minute came, Peaker added her name to the scorers’ list. She ran down the right wing before smashing the ball over the keeper into the back of the net.

#TheWhites 6 - 1 Basford United LFC

In the fourth minute of added time, Gilliatt claimed her fourth goal as, once again, the ball found her inside the box and she hammered the ball past the keeper, not giving her any chance of stopping her.

#TheWhites 7 - 1 Basford United LFC

That was the last action of the game and ‘The Whites’ claimed another three points to aid them in their title race.

They still sit seven points behind leaders Notts County with two games in hand.

Lincoln United WFC 7 - 1 Basford United LFC (FT)

Their next game will be a trip to Anstey Nomads for the quarter-final of the league cup on Sunday 12th February.

Match report by James Ede, match photo by Ed Mayes Photography