Grimsby Town Women were narrowly beaten on penalties after an enthralling County Cup semi-final encounter with Spalding United Women, as a six-goal thriller ultimately went the distance before heartbreak from the spot ended the Mariners’ journey in the competition.

Town made the perfect start and needed just three minutes to break the deadlock. Milly North showed great determination to beat her player before unleashing a superb strike from range that found the bottom corner, giving the Mariners early momentum.

Buoyed by the opener, Grimsby continued to press. North tested the visiting goalkeeper again soon after, while Beth Wharton’s lively play forced another save. Eden Pederson then went close with a left-footed effort from the edge of the area, before Liv Kershaw fired narrowly across goal.

Wharton came within inches of doubling the lead when her powerful strike rattled the post, highlighting Town’s attacking intent during a dominant spell.

The visitors were handed a route back into the game midway through the half when they were awarded a penalty, but Jas Lacey produced a superb save down to her right to preserve the advantage.

However, Spalding would eventually find their equaliser late in the first half, a free kick to the back post being turned into the bottom corner to ensure the sides went in level at the break despite Town’s excellent start.

After the restart, the Mariners wasted little time in reclaiming the lead. Leah Wray delivered a superb ball into the area that picked out Kershaw at the back post, and she made no mistake in guiding her finish home to restore Town’s advantage.

The lead was short-lived, though, as Spalding responded with a well-taken finish into the top corner following a through ball to make it 2-2.

Refusing to let their heads drop, Grimsby struck again just after the hour mark through North, who produced a moment of magic to dance through the defence before calmly slotting home her second of the afternoon.

The drama continued as Spalding equalised once more, capitalising on a scramble from a free kick to set up a tense finale. Chances came at both ends, with Laura Flecknor delivering a dangerous ball that Wharton could only lift over, while substitute Dani Brighton was introduced to mark her 100th appearance for the Club.

With nothing to separate the sides after 90 minutes, the tie headed into extra time. Spalding made an immediate impact, finding the top corner straight from kick-off to take the lead for the first time in the contest.

Town pushed for a response, with Alisha Dejonge firing just over and Flecknor striking into the side netting, while the visitors also struck the post from a set piece during a nervy period. Despite the Mariners’ efforts, the equaliser proved elusive.

Penalties were required to settle the tie, and it proved to be a tense shootout. Both sides converted confidently in the early rounds before misses crept in, but it was Spalding who ultimately held their nerve to secure a 5-4 victory.

While the result brought disappointment, the Mariners produced a spirited performance full of quality and resilience, pushing their opponents all the way in a gripping cup battle. Everyone at the Club congratulates Spalding United Women and wishes them the very best in the final.

Starting XI: Jasmine Lacey, Leah Wray (102′ Thorpe), Chloe Thorpe (45′ Gray), Tilly Burnett (56′ Dejonge), Pariss Welsh (72′ Brighton), Eden Pedersen, Abbie Emslie, Milly North, Laura Flecknor, Olivia Kershaw, Beth Wharton

Subs: Dani Brighton, Sophie Gray, Alisha Dejonge

Goalscorers:

• Milly North (sponsored by A View From The Findus Podcast)
• Olivia Kershaw (sponsored by Elite Physique Therapy)

Player of the Match:

• Eden Pederson (sponsored by Lincolnshire Housing Partnership)

UTM