OOH Lincoln v Preston North End- Sunday 4th Oct at Ashby Avenue- KO 2pm
OOH Lincoln Ladies entertain Preston at Ashby Avenue on Sunday, hoping to make it three out of three wins this week in their challenge for the WPL Northern Division title.
The Lady Imps ground out a 2-0 win against tough opposition from Curzon last Sunday, and took all three points with a much improved performance against Sheffield Wednesday on Thursday evening to go 2nd in the table.
Following OOH Lincoln Keeper Kay Hawke`s unfortunate one match suspension, which must be served on Sunday – after receiving a dubious red card against Birmingham in the League Cup – ex-England goalie Jo Fletcher will be standing in for Hawke between the Lincoln posts against Preston. Jo Fletcher was a regular keeper for Hope Powell`s England side, and played for her country during most of the Euro 2005 campaign.
“It will be a tough game against Preston on Sunday,” admitted OOH Lincoln manager Rod Wilson.
“They have had some good results recently, apart from the 4-0 defeat against league leaders Liverpool on Wednesday evening.
“This has given them an extra days rest, and this can normally mean a lot in women`s football. Both teams will be tired and I expect after Thursdays local Derby my girls will be a little drained.
“But if we can be as strong mentally and physically as on Thursday night there is no reason why we cannot stretch our winning run to 7 games.
“You always want to perform well and move forward, but on Sunday a win is more important than the performance and most importantly we need a solid defensive display for 90 minutes.
“I extend a warm welcome to Jo Fletcher, the ex-England Keeper, who is standing in today for the suspended Kay Hawke. I thank Jo for signing for us and making the trip up from Surry.
“I hope everyone will support Jo`s charity, which is supporting the Grenadier Guards who are fighting for us all out in Afghanistan – Jo`s husband amongst them. We will be selling wristbands on the gate at £1 each in support of these brave lads” he said.
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Comments from OOH Lincoln Chairman Geoff Adams:
“I tried my hardest to get Kay Hawke`s red card overturned, however FA rules stipulate that to appeal against a red card, video evidence must be produced, and there was none. I feel very sorry for Kay as it`s my belief that on this occasion the officials got it totally wrong – and Kay is having to suffer as an innocent!
“However, I`m delighted that ex-England keeper Jo Fletcher has decided to sign for us and stand in for Kay on this occasion, and on occasions when she might be injured or unavailable in the future.
“I`ve been an admirer of Jo as a keeper for a very long time now, and will never forget the devastating performance she put up when she played for Charlton in their FA Cup tie against our club. I`ve watched her in some of her matches when she played for England, and she is a truly talented player.
“I`m delighted she has signed for us as a stand-in goalie for Kay and I feel that under the circumstances, in Kay`s absence, our goal is in the safest possible hands.
“On behalf of all at OOH Lincoln Ladies F.C., I extend the warmest of Lincoln welcomes to Jo”.
