City earned all three points with a 2-1 victory over Sheffield FC in the FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands.
The first chance of the game fell to Jemima Footitt, who met Maddi Green’s delivery from the left flank, but she could only direct her effort wide of the post.
The Imps took the lead in the 13th minute after a pass from Lucy Farrow set Maddi Green in on goal. The winger got ahead of her marker and made no mistake with the finish, slotting the ball past the onrushing keeper.
City went close again minutes later, when Jemima Footitt passed the ball on to Leah Hardy after a brilliant run down the right wing. Hardy’s shot was on target, but the goalkeeper was able to hold on.
The Imps continued to pressurise Sheffield and created a chance when Footitt played Farrow through on goal. However, the opposition keeper made a great stop down to her left, denying City their second of the evening.
The second goal would come minutes later though. After some silky footwork from Maddi Green, Millie Quaintance picked up the ball and rifled a thunderous effort from range into the bottom corner.
City continued to dominate in the second half, keeping Sheffield penned in their own half.
With 56 minutes played, Millie Quaintance attempted an overhead kick after the ball was sent up into the air from a corner. It was a clean connection, but the effort travelled over the bar.
Lucy Farrow was inches away from adding a third with 30 minutes remaining. Her powerful effort from inside the area cannoned of the bar and over.
Brogan Pugh made a crucial clearance to maintain City’s two goal advantage in the 69th minute. The Sheffield attacker rounded Timson, but Pugh was there to deny the visitors.
Sheffield did grab a goal back moments later. Moriah McIntosh lofted the ball into the City net to half the deficit.
The Imps withstood some pressure late on, as Sheffield rattled the crossbar with a long-range strike.
Sheffield went down to 10 men when Millie Fugler was sent off for dissent in the dying seconds, as the Imps held on to claim a well-deserved three points, thanks to goals from Maddi Green and Millie Quaintance.
Imps: Lana Timson, Brogan Pugh (Neve Hincks 85'), Tilly Fantom, Ella Thompson-Moulding, Chyna McIntosh, Faith Horner, Millie Quaintance, Leah Hardy (Lauren Nicholson 90+4'), Maddi Green, Jemima Footitt, Lucy Farrow (Toni McHamilton 90+4') Unused substitutes: Holly Wilson, Alice Wood.
Goal(s): Maddi Green (13), Millie Quaintance (40)
Sheffield: Grimshaw, Cassidy, Fugler, Matthews, Hinchcliffe, Douglas, Cook, Fox, McIntosh, Scargill, Buxton.
Goal(s): Moirah McIntosh (70)
