New signings inspire Notts County Ladies to victory against Mansfield Hosiery

Notts County Ladies Development first team 3 v 1 Mansfield Hosiery

A new-look Notts County side bounced back from their disappointing 6-2 defeat aagainst Ruddington with an impressive performance and victory at Church Lane, Linby.

With a couple of players missing, three new signings were making their debuts, resulting in a bit of a shuffle in playing positions, new signing Lauren Yeoman playing in a wide right midfield position and Robyn Henton took up the anchor in the centre of the park.

County started well with good build up play as they passed the ball confidently with the help of some terrific off-the-ball movement.

On 13 minutes, Anna Horton sprayed the ball out wide to Alex Francis, who ran the into the box and with a clever back heel found Courtney Walters, leaving her to slot the ball home for 1-0.

County kept up the high tempo and went looking to increase their lead and Jasmin Bears was not far off with an 18-yard free-kick strike that went just wide.

Minutes later, the visitors gave another free kick away on the box and this time Bears’ kick found the head of Courtney Walters at the far post only for her effort to narrowly go over the bar.

Midway through the first half, County thought they had increased their lead when a beautifully weighted through ball pass found the feet of Walters, only for her strike to hit a post.

Mansfield were looking to hit on the counter and County keeper Kelly Hackman pulled off a fine save, but only minutes later Mansfield found the back of the net with a lob giving the home keeper no chance 1-1.

Just before the break, County piled on the pressure when a corner found Walters’ head, only for it to go over the bar and minutes later Androulla Kokkinou’s low, hard shot after a mazy run seemed destined for the bottom corner, only for the keeper to pull off a fine save.

The second period continued in the same vain and, on 58 minutes, Androulla fired in a cross for the ball to be half-cleared into the path of Robyn Henton, who hit a pile-driver through the bodies and into the back of the net to put County back in front.

10 minutes later, the three points were sealed when Bear got forward down the right side and put in a low ross which hit the foot of a Mansfield defender to go into the bottom corner.

In the closing stages, Yeomans made way for Natasha Watson and Alex Francis for new signing Perazim Mugadia. Both didn’t disappoint as they very soon got involved in the action.

The Notts County player of the match was awarded to Anna Horton for her work-rate and battling in midfield.

The first team are away next week to newly promoted Teversal with a 2pm KO.

The club are pleased to announce that their first team will be playing their home fixtures at Eastwood Town FC this is yet another exciting development for the ladies as they continue to raise the standards both on and off the pitch.

Round up

The under 9s were away to newly formed Quarrydale and put on an outstanding performance with goals from Tia Wheelhouse (9), Isla Newbury (5), Ellie May Bramley and Dulcie Rhodes with the player of the match awarded to Wheelhouse.

The under 11s entertained Sherwood and put in a valiant display with player of the match being awarded to Ellie Barrow.

The under 16s travelled to Manchester to play their final pre-season game against a strong and talented Man City side, with Amy Townsend being awarded player of the match.

The reserves played their first home league fixture against a strong Wollaton team and, despite losing out, there were plenty of positives with the player of the match being awarded to Ashleigh Harris.