The Imps' Remi Allen bags 84th-minute winner over Liverpool.
Liverpool 2-3 Lincoln Ladies
The FA WSL
2pm, Sunday 26 August 2012
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Remi Allen hailed the character of her team-mates after they overturned a two-goal deficit to record a superb win at Liverpool.
Goals from Lucy Staniforth and Precious Hamilton had cancelled out Hannah Keryakoplis’ stunning efforts for the hosts. Then, six minutes from time, Allen arrived in the box to decide the entertaining contest.
“We were losing 2-0, but felt it was against the run of play,” the match-winning midfielder said. “We’d missed quite a few chances in the first half. We were able to keep going and eventually score. In those situations you need to be patient and believe; we did and thankfully got our reward. We have good team spirit and it was needed.”
Allen herself had gone close before finding the net. “I’d missed a few [chances] earlier so just wanted to get that shot on target. I was relieved to see it go in the corner,” she admitted.
The sides’ last encounter had produced a 3-3 draw and this time the drama began early. On 17 minutes Keryakoplis’ spectacular effort from a tight angle flew over the head of goalkeeper Nicola Hobbs to put the Reds ahead.
The visitors' bench demanded patience, as they enjoyed plenty of possession without properly testing Nicky Davies in the Liverpool goal.
After the turnaround Emily Gielnik headed against the post following superb link-up play between Kelly Jones and Keryakoplis.
It became 2-0 when Keryakoplis unleashed an effort that soared high in to the net. At that point it looked like Matt Beard would be celebrating his first win since recently taking over as LFC Ladies’ boss.
Trailing by two, Lincoln continued to retain possession and were rewarded when Staniforth’s shot went beyond the unsighted Davies.
Parity arrived on 70 minutes. Hamilton got the goal her superb performance deserved as she headed in from close range.
Liverpool seemed shocked to be suddenly level and then had Davies to thank for two superb saves in the closing stages. However, there was little she could do when Allen anticipated a bouncing ball and arrived in the area to decide the contest.
Liverpool
Davies, V. Jones, Chappell, Riccio, Culvin, Brusell, Foster (C. Jones 79), K. Jones, Evans, Keryakoplis, Gielnik (Billson 60).
Substitutes not used Clansey, Harding, Charlton, Griffiths
Lincoln Ladies
Hobbs, Daly, Bradley, Stoney, Barker (Alleyway 58), Allen, Walton (Cantrell 70), Horwood (Megan Harris 58), Clarke, Hamilton, Staniforth.
Substitutes not used Martha Harris, Roberts.
Referee Michael Bonage
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