Arnold Town Ladies fell at the first hurdle of the league cup as they lost 5-1 at home to a strong Mansfield Town side. However the score line does not reflect how this emerging Arnold side played.

With illness and injuries forcing some late pull outs, the side started with a bare 11 but with the knowledge of holding Mansfield Hosiery Mills a few weeks ago with only 10 players, confidence was still high. A reshuffle at the back with the reliable Chay Davey missing through illness, brought the up and coming Ciara Button into the back four along side Claire Potter, Charley Norman and Tina Potter. A lack of playing together along with possible nerves may have been ther reason for communication issues which allowed Mansfield to take a 4-0 lead at the break. However once the 4th was scored, Arnold relaxed and began to play the style of football that has kept their season alive so far.

No panic at half time by the management as it was great to see the young players stand up to much more experinced players and mentally play their own game. The second half was great to watch in respect to how far this side have developed in such a short space of time. Previously they would have folded and been on the end of an hammering. They worked well in packs, settled down, tried to play in the right areas and were rewarded when Elli Leathen chased a lost cause, created panic in the Mansfield area and used the hesitation in the defence to sneak in and pull a goal back.

The forward three of Molly Parker, Kelly Hart and Natasha Leach ran their socks off and their work was partly behind the opening by creating pressure. The midfield seem to get stronger each game, with the experience of the skipper Jen Lorimer and Elli Leathen working so well with the tenacity of 16-year-old Chloe Jordan. The latter almost scored the goal of the season as she ran from the half way line,round and through the defence before seeing her fizzing shot palmed behind by the Mansfield Keeper. Natasha Leach also saw her goal bound effort deflected away by the opposition stopper, which would have made the score line more respectable. Winning the second half didnt quite come off as Mansfield finished the scoring with a rasping 20 yard shot that found the back of the net before Emily Hallam in the Arnold goal could react.

Overall the scoreline is a bit unfair but switching off against strong sides at this level will see us get punished which is another lesson to learn. However eight weeks ago this side would have folded to a heavy defeat but once agian the management have left the game with so many positives to work with that its becoming a pleasure to be apart of this group each week. Two home games now before Christmas give Arnold a real chance of putting more points in the bag and being even stronger next year.

Team: E.Hallam, T.Potter, C.Button, C.Potter, E.Leathen, J.Lorimer (C), C.Jordan, M.Parker, N.Leach, K.Hart

Arnold Town Ladies Second team also lost to a Mansfield Town side today. Playing at the Joseph Whittaker School this morning, Arnold took the lead through Danielle Pritchard’s stunning free kick. However injuries took there toll on a heavy pitch and were unable to hold on, finally losing 2-1 to their hosts. They are back at home next week v Bingham where they hope to get back to winning ways before their Christmas break.

There was also a double header for Arnold Town U16’s and U18’s against Nottingham Forest LFC. Both went in favour of the reds with a 5-0 and 5-1 win respectively.