Grimsby Town Women booked their place in the semi-finals of the Lincoln Private Hospital County Women’s Cup with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Cleethorpes Town Ladies, sealed by a stoppage-time winner on Sunday afternoon.
Town were forced to show patience and resilience after falling behind early, before goals from Milly North and Abbie Emslie completed a memorable comeback in the quarter-final clash.
The Mariners started brightly, with Liv Kershaw and Beth Wharton both testing the Cleethorpes defence in the opening exchanges. However, against the run of play, Cleethorpes took the lead inside the opening ten minutes to put Town on the back foot.
Town responded well and created a succession of chances throughout the first half. Wharton was twice denied by the Cleethorpes goalkeeper, while Kershaw saw efforts blocked and saved as Town pushed hard for an equaliser. Eden Pedersen also tried her luck from range, but the home side went into the break trailing 1-0 despite their dominance.
Town continued to apply pressure after the restart, making early changes to inject fresh energy into the side. Chances continued to come, with Wharton, Alicia Davis and Abbie Emslie all going close, but the Cleethorpes goalkeeper remained in inspired form to frustrate the Mariners.
The breakthrough finally arrived on 66 minutes. Milly North picked up the ball and weaved past four Cleethorpes defenders before calmly finishing to deservedly draw Town level.
With momentum firmly on their side, Town pushed for a winner. North, Wharton and Emslie all went close as the clock ticked down, while Pedersen continued to drive Town forward with two powerful late efforts that were superbly saved.
Just when the tie looked destined for extra time, Town found the decisive moment deep into stoppage time. A frantic sequence saw an initial shot saved, a follow-up strike crash against the bar, before Abbie Emslie reacted quickest to fire home the rebound and spark celebrations from the Town bench.
Cleethorpes defended resolutely throughout, but Town’s persistence was rewarded in the 91st minute as they secured a place in the semi-finals.
Eden Pedersen was named Player of the Match following an outstanding all-action performance in midfield.
FT: Grimsby Town Women 2-1 Cleethorpes Town Ladies
Starting XI: Jasmine Lacey, Leah Wray (71′ Thorpe), Sophie Gray, Tilly Burnett, Eden Pederson, Dani Brighton (45′ Welsh), Alisha Dejonge (45′ Emslie), Milly North, Olivia Kershaw, Alicia Davis (60′ Flecknor), Beth Wharton
Subs: Chloe Thorpe, Pariss Welsh, Kloe Green, Laura Flecknor, Abbie Emslie
Goalscorers:
- Milly North (sponsored by A View From The Findus Podcast)
- Abbie Emslie (sponsored by OceanBlue Logistics Ltd.)
Player of the Match:
- Eden Pederson (sponsored by Lincolnshire Housing Partnership)
UTM
