City Women claimed a huge three points after a 3-1 win against Notts County to ensure they will remain in the division for next season.
Two minutes in and City came close to an early opener. A curled shot by Jemima Footitt went just wide of the top left corner.
The game struggled to get going early on. With both sides not enjoying healthy lengths of spell in possession, it made the first 13 minutes uneventful.
However just seconds later, a through ball into the path of County’s Wilshaw who then put her shot wide of the near post from close range provided the Imps with a scare.
On her second attempt at long range, Footitt found her goal she’d been after. A dangerous counter attack which was carried up the pitch by Footitt followed by a few intricate passes within the side eventually found Footitt again, who drove one into the top left corner. 24 minutes in, 1-0 City.
On the half-hour mark City doubled their lead. Maddi Green produced a great piece of skill to beat her defender and whip a pin point cross into Neve Hinks who was left unmarked in the box.
Once again, Footitt was at the centre of play, proving to be tricky opposition for Notts County. Beating multiple players before drilling the ball along the floor to Lucy Farrow who fired City into a 3-0 lead just 7 minutes from half-time.
The first-half concluded with City taking a comfortable 3-0 lead going into the break.
Notts County had the brighter start to the second half and resulted in a goal. A corner by County found Wilshaw’s head inside the 6-yard box, giving County a pathway back into the game.
The Imps were enjoying chances through Green’s deliveries on the left side and it nearly resulted in a fourth, however defender Ella Thompson-Moulding couldn’t keep her headed effort down, resulting in a Notts County goal-kick.
County came close to scoring a second of the game when Burnett forced a magnificent save from Irvine who parried it out for a corner. The corner resulted in a goal mouth scramble which was eventually cleared by City.
A big save by Davies prevented Farrow from earning her brace and putting her side 3 up with 8 minutes to play. Leah Hardy played a ball in behind for Farrow to run onto, however the keeper made herself big to deny City a fourth of the game.
Eventually the full-time whistle came, resulting in a huge 3 points which meant the Imps are now safe from relegation.
Notts County: Philipa Davies, Mollie Crump, Holly Fowler, Laura Steele, Lauren Wilshaw, Elle Rowson, Jessie Knott, Shaniqua Barnes, Emily Stretton, Summer Reece, Takiah Burnett.
Goal(s): Wilshaw (49)
Imps: Poppy Irvine, Brogan Pugh, Tilly Fantom, Ella Thompson-Moulding, Faith Horner, Katie Williams, Leah Hardy, Neve Hincks, Jemima Footitt, Maddi Green, Lucy Farrow.
Goal(s): Footitt (25), Hincks (32), Farrow (39)
