Horton inspires senior Magpies to important win

Anna HortonAnna Horton
Anna Horton
A great team performance from the Notts County Ladies’ Senior Development Squad saw them move up to second in the table after a convincing 5-1 victory over leaders Sleaford at Coronation Park.

Only goal difference is now keeping the Magpies off the summit as they rose to the occasion superbly.

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The two teams met a couple of months ago and shared the points with a 2-2 draw, though County felt they had done enough to win the game.

This time, Notts had a number of players missing due to injury and work commitments, but the starting 11 were a strong team that would be difficult to break down.

New signing Laura Allcock, from Rise Park, made her debut between the sticks and Nicola Tomkinson was called upon from the club’s reserve team.

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County got off to a dream start as within five minutes Androulla Kokkinou won the ball from a goal kick, turned a player and unleashed a shot into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.

The home side were putting a number of quick passes together and Sleaford were struggling to contain the trickery of Kokkinou who fired in her second of the afternoon with 15 minutes gone.

Club and league top goal scorer Courtney Walters got herself on the scoresheet to add a third Magpies goal when she hit the ball into the top of the net after receiving a delightful pass from wide midfielder April Bingham.

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Sleaford pulled a goal back when they won a contentious penalty decision and the spot kick gave keeper Allcock with no chance.

But the County response was not long in coming when Anna Horton, from a wide position, drove into the box and buried a shot deep into the far bottom corner to restore the three-goal lead.

Just before the break, Kokkinou was brought down when on one of he mazy runs and could play no further part in the game.

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In the second half, Tomkinson came on into midfield and captain Jasmin Bear moved up front to partner Courtney and take up Kokkinou’s position.

The game continued in the same vain with County having most of the possession and playing at a good tempo.

And with an hour gone, the black and white army increased their lead when Bingham threaded a ball through to Robyn Henton whose thunderous shot ripped into the top right corner giving the keeper no to make it 5-1.

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Player of the match was awarded to Horton in central midfield who worked hard throughout and battled to win possession.

Notts know they will need a repeat of their display this weekend as they entertain Pelican Ladies in the Notts FA Womens County Cup quarter finals.

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