Late Kokkinou strike seals Magpies’ draw
Notts County Ladies Senior Development Squad came back from a two-goal deficit to secure a 2-2 draw with Mansfield Hosiery Mills in the East Midlands Women’s League.The Magpies had beaten their opponents 3-2 in the FA Women’s Cup in their previous match and it was clear that the Mansfield team fancied their chances this time.Hosiery Mills went on the attack from the off, but it was County who might have gone in front when a long ball found Courtney Walters who squared across the face of the goal for Jasmin Bear to agonisingly put over the bar.From the resulting goal kick, Mansfield attacked down the left side and a ball played into the box was not cleared which allowed the Mansfield striker to slot the ball into the bottom corner.On 20 minutes, Gemma Sinfield making her debut in defence, had to leave the field of play with injury and replaced by Serena Mason.The home team doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark as their pacey striker to ran through to smack the ball into the back of the net, giving keeper Kelly Hackman no chance 2-0.The game became scrappy as County were trying to force things which meant they were failing to put their passes together.But just before the break, Notts got a lifeline when, following a Bear corner, the ball was played back in to the far post for Walters to turn in.The second half saw a different County side, who camped for long periods in the home side’s half, but Mansfield defended well, supported by good goalkeeping.Mansfield nearly wrapped up the game on 75 minutes but a fine reaction save from Hackman kept the Magpies in the hunt.Time was quickly running out, but with three minutes to go Anna Horton came out wide, allowing Androulla Kokkinou to slip inside and she twisted and turned before firing the ball into the bottom corner for an equaliser.County went looking for the winner but were unable to get one and were left to rue missed chances.Player of the match awarded to defender Mason. This weekend, the team entertain Alfreton in the League Cup.
