Town Women made a winning return to Tier 5 on Sunday as they opened their East Midlands Women’s League Premier Division campaign with an impressive 5-0 victory away at Gainsborough Trinity.
After going unbeaten throughout last season to secure the North Division title and promotion, Town marked their return to Tier 5 in emphatic fashion, producing a dominant performance at The Venue at Roses.
Town started brightly and almost had the perfect opening inside the first minute when Abbie Emslie raced away down the left and delivered a cross into the box, with Alisha Dejonge unable to find the target.
Beth Wharton was then denied by a superb last-ditch challenge from a Gainsborough defender after being played through, with the resulting corner coming to nothing.
The pressure continued to build as Town looked to break the deadlock. On 27 minutes, they got their reward.
Brooke Howe showed excellent skill to beat two defenders before being brought down, giving Wharton the opportunity to step up from around 20 yards. The midfielder made no mistake, finding the back of the net with a superb free-kick to give Town the lead.
Grimsby continued to control proceedings and went close to doubling their advantage before the break. Emslie produced more good work out wide to find Wharton, whose effort flew just over the crossbar. Two minutes later, Howe was again involved as her work created an opening for Eden Pedersen, who fired narrowly wide.
Gainsborough’s first real opportunity came shortly before half-time, but goalkeeper Jas Lacey was equal to a fierce effort from a corner, getting across to keep it out as Town took a 1-0 lead into the interval.
Town wasted little time extending their advantage after the restart. Just three minutes into the second half, Wharton played an inch-perfect through ball into the path of Dejonge, who made no mistake with the finish to make it 2-0.
Dejonge then doubled her personal tally just five minutes later.
Emslie’s ball forward was initially too far in front of the forward, but Dejonge continued her run and applied pressure to the goalkeeper. The resulting clearance rebounded straight back into her path, allowing her to finish and put Town three goals ahead.
Lacey was called upon again on 64 minutes, tipping a Gainsborough free-kick over the crossbar before Town continued to create opportunities at the other end. A high press presented Alicia Davis with a chance in the 73rd minute, but her effort flew just over.
Town remained in complete control and added a fourth with five minutes of normal time remaining. Davis played a ball through for Wharton, who made no mistake as she completed her brace and made it 4-0.
There was still time for further drama as a Gainsborough player was shown a red card following an incident involving Town captain Sophie Gray in the 82nd minute.
Town continued to push for more in the closing stages, with Brooke Mayall striking the crossbar before Davis saw her follow-up effort saved. Issy Thompson also came close after being played through by Mayall, but the Gainsborough goalkeeper did well to smother the opportunity.
Town did find a fifth deep into added time, however. Emslie reached the byline and pulled the ball back for Davis, who calmly side-footed home to complete an excellent 5-0 victory.
It was a superb and accomplished opening-day performance from Town as they marked their return to Tier 5 in style.
Wharton and Dejonge both finished with two goals apiece, while Davis added the fifth. Dejonge was also named Supporters’ Player of the Match, with Brooke Howe receiving the Opposition Player of the Match award.
Town’s attention now turns to their first home league fixture of the season, with the Doncaster Belles visiting Blundell Park on Sunday 13th September.
Starting XI: Jasmin Lacey, Leah Wray, Sophie Gray (c), Scarlett Norman, Rowen Crawshaw, Abbie Emslie, Eden Pedersen, Beth Wharton, Alisha Dejonge, Pariss Welsh, Brooke Howe.
Substitutes: Alicia Davis, Laura Flecknor, Brooke Mayall, Tilly Burnett, Isobel Thompson.
Substitutions: Issy Thompson for Rowen Crawshaw (36′), Alicia Davis for Brooke Howe (54′), Brooke Mayall for Eden Pedersen (70′), Laura Flecknor for Alisha Dejonge (86′), Tilly Burnett for Beth Wharton (87′).
Goal Scorers
-
Beth Wharton x2 (Sponsored by Mariners Trust)
-
Alisha Dejonge x2 (sponsored by Andrew Mathews Electrical)
- Alicia Davis (sponsored by Hayley Carver-Smith)
Opposition Player of the Match: Brooke Howe (Available to sponsor)
Supporters’ Player of the Match: Alisha Dejonge (sponsored by Andrew Mathews Electrical)
UTM
