Linnets ladies crash out of League Cup

Seven second half goals put paid to the Linnets dreams of progressing through to the ERWFL League Cup semi-finals at AFC Sudbury’s MEL Group Stadium.

The Linnets put in a good first 45 in what was a cagey affair for both sides before AFC Sudbury ran riot after the restart.

Head coach Josh Pike said after the game: “We did our homework coming into the game and put a game plan together.

“The first half went well, we followed the game plan and stifled their attack but you could see around the 35 minute mark we were beginning to tire.

“We’d chased hard to press and that took its toll. The second half they raised their tempo and let the ball do the work, and Tilly having to come off was a big blow to the defence.

“We go again next weekend and we will look to build on the positives from this game.”

Both sides had their opportunities in the first period but neither found the net due to a combination of goalkeeping and some excellent defensive work.

Sudbury had been quick to counter but Lynn’s backline of Fran Peeling, Sam Davis, Nadine Green and Tilly Sands did well to stifle play with their high work rate and closing down of any attacks.

They were able to move the ball quickly away from their penalty area into the midfield where Deva Rawlings and Alice Collins marshalled the play into some good attacking moves.

Lynn’s two best chances fell to Rachel Skinner and Amy Magnus but poor finishing gave the home goalkeeper little trouble between the sticks.

The half finished at 0-0 but Sudbury had begun to gain the ascendancy as the minutes ticked away.

The second half was an altogether different affair as Sudbury increased the tempo.

The onslaught was absorbed until some ten minutes into the second half when Sands put her body on the line and took a powerful shot clean in the face.

Dazed and bloody-nosed Sands had to be substituted and Sudbury easily exploited the gap in the Linnets backline.

Sands had read the game well and contained much of the attacks down the right channel but the subsequent reshuffle allowed the home outfit to finally find a gap in her absence.

With their ability to place the ball behind from the right and pick out their players with crosses, AFC Sudbury soon took control.

Linnets shot stopper Yasmine Walford made some fine saves after as Lynn began to run out of steam. Sudbury scored seven times without reply – much to the delight of the home crowd.

Substitute Katie Ward had two good opportunities for the Linnets at the other end, but the home goalkeeper twice made some brave decisions.

Next up for the ladies is a trip to Bowers and Pitsea on Sunday (3pm).

J B Data Engineering Player-of-the-match: Tilly Sands.

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