Grimsby Town Women produced a dominant second-half performance to defeat Arnold Eagles Women 5–1 on Sunday afternoon.
FIRST HALF
The Mariners began the match brightly and took the lead inside seven minutes. A free kick from Liv Kershaw, struck from 35 yards, took a deflection on its way into the net to give Town an early advantage.
Their lead was short-lived, however, as Arnold found an equaliser just four minutes later.
A well-struck free kick from the hosts beat the wall and found the top corner, bringing the sides level at 1–1.
Both teams created opportunities as the first half progressed.
Alicia Davis was unfortunate not to restore Town’s lead on 25 minutes when her effort from the edge of the box cannoned off the crossbar.
Shortly before the interval, Beth Wharton and Betsy Thomas combined well in attack, but the Arnold goalkeeper stood firm to deny them.
The sides went into the break level, with little to separate them after a competitive opening 45 minutes.
SECOND HALF
Town began the second half with renewed intent and were rewarded for their pressure shortly before the hour mark.
A flowing move down the right saw Kershaw combine with Demi Barai, who laid the ball inside to Eden Pedersen. Spotting the goalkeeper off her line, Pedersen struck a superb effort from 40 yards that sailed into the net to restore Town’s lead.
Arnold almost responded immediately when a breakaway effort struck the crossbar, but Grimsby soon took control of the contest.
On 66 minutes, Leah Wray delivered an excellent pass over the top to release Wharton, whose shot was parried into the path of Alicia Davis. The forward reacted quickest to slot home Town’s third.
Just three minutes later, Town extended their advantage further. Thomas’ strike was saved, but Wharton was on hand to convert the rebound from close range.
Grimsby added a fifth in stoppage time to round off an impressive display.
Davis raced clear on the counterattack and played the ball out wide for Barai, who finished emphatically to complete the scoring.
Town: Jasmine Lacey, Liv Kershaw, Chloe Thorpe (61 Gray), Leah Wray, Eden Pedersen, Dani Brighton (46 Welsh), Abbie Emslie (59 Dejonge), Alicia Davis, Demi Barai, Milly North (21 Thomas), Beth Wharton
Subs not used: Beth Mullxhi
UTM
