Arnold Ladies moved off the foot of the table with an emphatic 7-1 victory against Grimsby Borough Ladies at Eagle Valley.
Hard work is something the management at Arnold have constantly told the players that will bring success. After weeks of hard work and gradual improvement it was pleasing to see it all come together today. Facing Grimsby Borough who narrowly came away with a 2-1 win earlier in the season, it was seen as a potenial 6-pointer today with both sides occupying the bottom two spots in the league.
Arnold were boosted by a full squad having battled valiantly the previous week with just 10 players, which clearly improved the atmosphere in the dressing room although it did give manager Andy Ingle a selection headache. Straight from kick off, Arnold were quick to harrass the visitors but saw less of the ball within the first 15 minutes. Once they settled down and got a hold on the game the chances started to develop. Molly Parker looked dangerous as ever when running at the defence but to no avail. It was the returning Elli Leathen, back after an knee injury, who calmly played the ball to the captain Jen Lorimer. she turned inside her marker before placing the ball with her weaker left foot into the bottom corner.
This allowed Arnold to increase their intensity and play with more freedom. Emily Nelis was causing problems with her pace on the left side, which opened up the space for Molly Parker to run through on goal before picking her spot and doubling the lead. Minutes later it was three as Jen Lorimer found space on the edge of the box before curling the ball into the top corner.
Grimsby still looked dangerous going forward and never gave up. Numerous corners caused the Arnold defence to have to be on their guard but they stood up to everything thrown at them. Things continued to get better and better as Molly Parker found her self on the bi-line before placing the perfect pass for Emily Nellis to tap in at the back post.
4-0 at half time could in reality have been doubled but having not been in this position for a long long time, it was important that heads were kept focussed as Grimsby are a team of grafters and an early goal back would have made it a nervous second half. Whilst the game plan was being well executed it was a fluke goal that brought the visitors back into the match, as a save by Emily Hallam cruelly rebounded off her before spinning backwards into the net before she could claw it out.
Character was now so importatnt as Grimsby grew in confidence, still hoping to get something out of the game. Having weathered the storm Arnold held firm and the defensive midfielders of Chloe Jordan and Ciara Button maintained the wall infront of the back four as well as driving the side forward. Molly Parker doubled her tally with another composed finish before Natasha Leach opened her Arnold account when she scored from just outside the 6 yard box to make it 6-1.
With two players now on for a hatrick, it was great to see the home team close out the game so professionally with the bonus of Molly beating the skip to the match ball, with a simple finish at the back post.
So 7-1 at full time is a convincing win but there is still alot of the season to play. The quality and belief is here and with consistancy, this season could really be starting now as long as the players contunine their hard work, but for tonight there are smiles all round and rightly so.
Team: E.Hallam, T.Potter, C.Davey, C.Potter, C.Norman, J.Lorimer (c), E.Leathen, C.Jordan, C.Button, E.Nelis, M.Parker
Subs: B.Polak, C.Stocks, K.Hart, N.Leach
The Arnold Town Ladies 2nd team had one of those days that football often provides. Having taken the lead in the Senior League Cup v Ilkeston, they managed to watch chance after chance either hit the post (five times), be saved or miss the target. Ilkeston offered little going forward but managed to sneak the ball in at the front post following a second half corner to equalise. They then managed to take the lead 5 minutes later with a well taken direct free kick. Arnold continued to press and were finally rewarded with a good team goal with under 15 minutes to go. With only one team in it now it was heart breaking for all involved when Ilkeston were awarded a penalty in which they duly converted. Final score 2-3 but with lots of positives to be taken into next week’s game against Mansfield Town.
The Under 16’s and 18’s were in action for the Notts FA Shield. The 16’s were on wrong end of a 9-0 defeat away at Bingham whilst Notts County beat the under 18’s by a 1 goal margin, winning 3-2 at Eagle Valley
