AFC Tickton approached the game against their local rivals with some trepidation as they were missing their goalkeeper Loralie Castle, defenders Rachel Hill and Laura McCoid and striker Izzie Clark; however, the team rose to the challenge and competed hard from the first whistle.
The opening minutes were evenly matched with both teams trying to gain an advantage and it was only some outstanding goalkeeping by stand – in keeper Eleanor “Chippy” Gilbert that kept the scores level.
The deadlock was broken when Shannon Tong made a superb defensive header which landed at the feet of Enisha Ali. Ali then sent a perfectly weighted through ball into the Mill Lane area where it reached Rachel Wilson who teed the ball up perfectly for Lily Brunton to fire home.
The goal seemed to spur Mill Lane into life and they soon managed to equalise after a mix up in the AFC Tickton defence allowed the ball to bounce around in the area near one of the Mill Lane forwards who lofted the ball over Eleanor Gilbert into the goal.
AFC Tickton regained their advantage just before the break when Rachel Wilson’s long range effort beat the Mill Lane keeper at her near post.
The second half saw AFC Tickton up the ante and their pressure resulted in them keeping Mill Lane pegged back for the majority of the half. Natalie Cording, Lucie Hall and Lottie Tuisawau controlled the midfield and any Mill Lane attacks were snuffed out by Shannon Tong and Molly Pearson.
AFC Tickton then scored a deserved third when Rachel Wilson cut in from the right of the area and fired a left foot shot curling across the keeper into the far corner. Lauren Stubbs made the game safe for AFC Tickton a few minutes later when another defensive lapse by the Mill Lane defence allowed her to tap home from within the six yard box which gave the final score of AFC Tickton 4- 1 Mill Lane.
Final Score: AFC Tickton 4 Mill Lane United 1
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