Women’s 1st Team Vs Mansfield Town ladies

It was perhaps fitting that the game played at the worlds oldest professional football ground resulted in what we believe to be the youngest ever team selected for an East Midlands regional premier league game. With this in mind and the opposition being Mansfield Town, there was a little bit of cup feeling to the league match being staged at the One-Call Stadium.

Arnold were hit with news that experienced players Chay Davey, Jay Willows and Natasha Leach were unable to make the fixture which meant a reshuffle from Sundays 3-0 win over Ellistown. In their place came Risa Naisbitt who made her come back after a few years away from football, as well as Elli Leathen and Chloe Stocks.

Mansfield kicked off but suprisingly it was Arnold who settled the quickest, with the midfield trio of Jenny Lorimer, Lottie Swinscoe and Ciara Button winning the ball back early and feeding either Molly Parker on the left or Chloe Jordan on the left, who in turn tried to get the ball into Chloe Stocks through the centre. Arnolds pace up front was causing the home defence some issues but excellent positioning  by the Mansfield  keeper meant that she swept up every though ball well.

As the half developed Mansfield grew into the game and were only denied the first goal by wayward finishing or by fantastic saves from Arnolds own excellent keeper Emily Hallam. She also demonstrated an perfect starting position collecting every through ball on the edge of her area. Without the commanding Chay Davey the back four were expertly marshalled by the returning Risa Naisbitt alongside the dependable Claire Potter, Charley Norman and Tina Potter.

After a period of Mansfield pressure, Arnold pushed forward again with Chloe Stocks breaking into the box before firing towards goal. The ball took an age to clear the goalkeeper before hitting the bar and being cleared. The clubs video anaylst Amber Wheat would later tell us that her footage showed the ball had crossed the line but unfortunately this was out of the view of the officials. Molly Parker was next to try her luck, this time from distance after a clever spin and shot, however it deserved more as it fizzed past the wrong side of the post.

All square at the break with Arnold enjoying the atmosphere and showing no signs of nerves that younger players may have been expected to have. With Arnold getting the second 45 under way, it was Mansfield that this time had the early pressure but were unable to get through the visitors defence.  Lottie Swinscoe, having only played 20 minutes since an injury last year put in a shift to show the potential that she has but as expected started to tire so was replaced on the hour mark by Elli Leathen. The game was still either teams to win or lose at this point and it was a peice of magic from Mansfields pacy winger that broke the deadlock. Cutting in from the right, she beat a couple of tackles before shooting high into the top of the net from inside the box. Tough to take but a quality finish to make it 1-0.

There is always a worry with an inexperienced side that their heads would drop but the attitude all season has been unbelievable and Arnold went staright back on the counter attack, with Molly Parker and Chloe Jordan both giving their markers a torrid time. The chance to equilise felt like it was getting closer on every attack and the bench were all off their feet when the ball pinged aroung the box before falling to Chloe Stocks  on the 6 yard box line. With the keeper grounded it just needed a side foot into either side of the covering defenders, however she got under the ball and was unfortunate to see the ball go over the bar.

Due to the effort put in, players were now tiring all over the park so manager Andy Ingle made two more changes. Kellie Hart replaced Claire Potter and Emily Nellis returned from injury in place of Ciara Button. With even more pace up front now Arnold hoped to expose the Mansfield defence and there was always a feeling that they might get one more chance. Football however is a cruel game and a moments lapse in communication down the Arnold right when they had looked comfortable allowed the ball to be played into the visitors area where the Mansfield Town striker had time to control the ball before slotting home and double the advantage 2-0.

Final score saw Mansfield Town take the points but as the atmosphere in the changing room showed the players knew they had given them a game and were still in it until the 89th minute. This team is getting better and better each week and with youth on their side will hopefully develop into a fantastic side over the next few seasons. Manager Andy Ingle was certainly buzzing with pride after the match.