Sunderland Lose at Leicester as Lady Imps storm 12 clear.
OOH Lincoln stretched their lead at the top of the Northern Division table on Sunday by consigning a tough Sheffield Wednesday outfit to a 4-0 defeat, while Sunderland lost ground in their attempt to win promotion suffering a 3-1 reverse to a rejuvenated Leicester City side.
The Lady Imps now sit 12 points clear at the top, however OOH Lincoln’s match against the Owls marked the end of their league campaign, whereas Sunderland have five matches remaining, from which they must take 13 points to overtake leaders Lincoln.
A hat trick from super goal-taker Jodie Snelson takes her total for the season to 32, which makes her now a hot favourite to win the FA’s WPL ‘Golden Boot’ award, and a wonder-goal struck from 35 yards by Sophie Wallis wrapped up the points for Lincoln on the day.
It took the Lady Imps 39 minutes to register on the scoresheet. Michalska brought down a pinpoint long ball from midfield and outpaced the two Wednesday centre-halves, to go one-on-one with Owl’s keeper Danni Maslin – Michalska slotted cleverly past Maslin who could do nothing about the Michalska’s unstoppable finish.
The second half saw Lincoln build on their goal difference advantage over Sunderland. Stacey Aisthorpe’s hard work around the box paid off in the 61st minute, when she put in the perfect cross to the far post leaving keeper Maslin stranded – Michalska fired home from close to give her side a priceless 2 goal advantage. Michalska’s hat trick came in the 83rd minute courtesy of some fine passing play between midfield and the two forwards. Again it was Aisthorpe it put in the final assist across the box for Michalska to volley the Lady Imps to an unassailable 3-0 lead.
But it was Sophie Wallis who scored the most spectacular goal of the day a minute inside injury time – she surged from the half way line to around 35 yards out and fired an unstoppable shot into the top right hand corner of the net which left unfortunate keeper Maslin powerless to keep the score down 3-0, giving Lincoln an unexpected and possibly crucial extra goal if the outcome of their season yet again boils down to goal difference.
‘I was extremely pleased with our performance today,’ said Lincoln manager Rod Wilson.
‘Wednesday are a very tough side, and I think the score maybe flattered us a little. In the end a bit of extra quality and fitness on the pitch saw us bag the three points, but it took us a long time to score our first goal, and Sheffield Wednesday never dropped their heads and battled all the way. However a 4-0 victory is an excellent way to end the season, the girls were once again very professional in the way they approached this game and that approach paid off. In light of Sunderland’s defeat against Leicester, this win might prove hugely important for us, so I couldn’t be more pleased’ he said.
