Venue: Field Mill, Quarry Lane, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Competition: F.A. Women's Premier League, Midlands Division 1
Referee: Andy Harland
Scorers:
Stags - Jemma Douglas (pen 73)
Leafield - Gabbi Reid (22), Sam White (25), Leigh Dugmore (53), Sade Alaka (86)
Squads:
I hadn't planned on taking in this game, but it was sunny and calm, so headed off to Field Mill to see if the Stags' Ladies could take something from this game in their attempt to stave off the spectre of relegation.
Dave Bramwell was in the stadium with his son when I arrived, so at least I wasn't going to be "billy-no-mates"! We sat in the dim and shadow covered West Stand originally, but after about 25 minutes it was so cold we decided it was probably better to head over to the unshaded corner of the North Stand and watch the game from there.
Jemma Douglas had the home team's first real chance in the second minute, but Natasha Weldon in the Leafield's goal saved easily enough. Rachael Smith saw her header in the 6th minute blocked on the Stags goal line, but chances were few and far between early doors.
We had to wait until the 22nd minute for the opening goal, GABBI REID making no mistake, rolling the ball past Emily Gascoigne, after she was gifted the ball 25 yards from goal. Three minutes later the lead was doubled when SAM WHITE hit a low drive from the edge of the box that crept just inside the post.
Reid went close to adding the visitors third on 44, but her shot across the goal rolled agonisingly wide of the far post. H-T 0-2.
The second half was only 5 minutes old when Leafields had yet another chance to increase their lead - Leigh Dugmore crossing for Alice Bowles, who saw her curling effort hit the outside of the post.
Bowles was the creator of the visitors third goal on 53, her cross picking out LEIGH DUGMORE unmarked in front of goal, and the no.7 made no mistake.
Lucy Webster had a great chance to reduce the Stags' arrears on 70, but hit her shot from just in front of goal halfway up the Quarry Lane End stand. Three minutes later the arrears were reduced when JEMMA DOUGLAS fired home from the spot after Webster had been upended in the box.
Athletic's skipper, Jess Lippiatt, headed wide from a corner in the 78th minute, but the Stags should have added their second on 83, but Gemma Hodgkinson headed the ball into the ground from close range, and watched in agony as it bounced high and over the bar.
The scoring was completed in the 86th minute - SADE ALAKA racing in on the Stags' goal and although Gascoyne got a hand to the first shot, the ball fell kindly to Alaka who rolled home at the second attempt. F-T 1-4
Admission: FOC
Teamsheet: FOC
Attendance: 50+
Charity: £3.75
