Our women’s team kept their 100% league win record going with an impressive 8 – 0 victory away at Cleethorpes Town Ladies on Sunday.
The weather over the previous 24 hours had threatened to put the local derby fixture in doubt but following two pitch inspections, The Linden Club facility held up incredibly well and referee Wayne Capes deemed it fit and ready to play.
Town made just two changes to the starting line-up with Libbi Wright and Emily Blyth coming into the team.
After applying early pressure, it was Mariners captain Kim Brown who opened the scoring in the 19th minute, capitalising on some pressure around the 18-yard box. The lead was doubled on 35 minutes when a free-kick from Olivia Kershaw saw the ball come back off the goalkeeper and Libbi Wright made no mistake with the rebound. Three minutes, later Ellie Wilson found Amber Sharp with a well-timed pass and Sharp finished calmly to continue with the impressive start she has made in senior football this season. The first half finished 3-0 to Grimsby Town.
Town made four changes at halftime, with Holly Smith, Beth Wharton, Becky Taylor and Ava Houlston entering the game. And in the 75th minute, Beth Wharton’s hard work and determination paid off, when she broke loose from the Cleethorpes defensive line, and superbly finished in a 1v1 with the goalkeeper. Wharton was involved again just two minutes later, with a superb pass to advancing midfielder Danielle Brighton who finished well to make the score 5-0.
Town’s full-back Eden Pederson showed her experience on 80 minutes, evading the defenders and engineering an outstanding left foot cross. The cross was superbly met by youngster Emily Blyth, who stuck a controlled side-footed volley to make the score 6-0.
On 85 minutes, Olivia Kershaw despatched a superb corner kick to the advancing Becky Taylor. Taylor connected with the ball superbly with her head and the unstoppable finish hit the net to make it 7-0. On 85 minutes, the impressive youngster Holly Smith travelled forward with the ball as full-back. She hit a well-struck shot which was saved, with the rebound coming back off the post and Danielle Brighton was on hand again to quickly score her second goal of the afternoon to finalise the result at 8-0.
Speaking after the game, manager Dale Houlston said, “Delighted to get another three points on the board. It was another very strong all-round team performance, against a resolute Clee Town team, which keeps us going in the right direction, and I am pleased for the players”.
