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Reds undone in six goal thriller

Two preventable set piece goals meant Liverpool left Sincil Bank with nothing after a highly entertaining game in front of the ESPN cameras.

Despite first half goals from Katie Brusell and Nicky Twohig, Robbie Johnson's side were unable to build on last week's first WSL victory as went down 4-2 to Lincoln.

 

After a cagey opening, the first chance was created by Liverpool captain Vicky Jones, whose cross was spilled by Imps goalkeeper Nicola Hobbs. Kelly Jones was first to latch onto the loose ball, but despite getting plenty of power behind her shot, Hobbs was able to block.

The Reds were on top, and they made that advantage count after 13 minutes. Chloe Jones swung a probing free kick towards the back post, where Twohig rose highest and was able to guide her header into the unguarded net.

Dani Gibbons was finally tested midway through the half, but a fine double save saw her first deny Jodie Taylor from close range, then stop Clarke's angled drive, which was heading for the bottom corner.

Another Chloe Jones delivery caused chaos in the Lincoln box on the half hour. Hobbs again failed to gather, and Emma Jones saw her hooked shot cleared off the line. Suzanne Lappin then set up Nicki Harding, whose 18 yard drive cannoned back off the crossbar.

Lincoln immediately capitalised on their lucky break as a Sue Smith corner beat everyone and nestled in the Liverpool net.

Both teams could have then taken the lead after 39 minutes, as the game became more stretched. First, Lynda Shepherd came close to restoring Liverpool's advantage when she fired just over from 20 yards.

Lincoln then counter-attacked and Smith, who was proving a constant menace, floated over a cross that Clarke headed over.

That was only a temporary restbite for the Reds though, as they fell behind on 40 minutes. A corner from the left was half cleared as far as Little, and when her shot was blocked on the line by Vicky Jones, England vice-captain Casey Stoney was at hand to turn home the rebound.

That lead lasted all of two minutes as an entertaining first half took yet another twist. Harding dispossessed her marker before driving forward and laying the ball off to Brusell.

With plenty still to do, Brusell outpaced two Imps defenders before hitting a shot that found Hobbs' top corner, possibly via a deflection - Brusell's first WSL goal.

Half Time: Lincoln 2-2 Liverpool

As with the first half, the second 45 minutes started in scrappy fashion, but when the first chance arrived, it was for the home side.

Taylor was clean through down the right flank, but instead of shooting she chose to square the ball to the onrushing Smith. However, Sam Chappell just got enough on the ball to put Smith off, and the experienced winger lifted her shot over the bar.

Cheryl Foster then replaced Harding for the Reds, but Lincoln kept up their early momentum. Smith and Clarke again proved the main threats as a move ended with Lucy Staniforth firing at Gibbons. Twohig then had to be alert to deny Smith with a perfectly timed sliding tackle, before a Smith corner proved Liverpool's downfall again.

This time she floated her delivery into the near post, and a jumping Vicky Jones could only head into her own net via the underside of the bar.

On the hour, Chloe Jones made way for Michelle Evans, and, after taking over set piece duties, Evans caught Hobbs out with an inswinging corner that the goalkeeper managed to gather at the second attempt.

Gibbons then had to be brave to deny the home side again, as she just beat Megan Harris to claim a Clarke knock-down in the six yard box.

On 76 minutes, Lincoln did extend their advantage. Staniforth's low cross was met by a diving Little, and when her header struck the foot of the post, Clarke was able to turn in the rebound and claim the goal that her performance meritted.

Kelly Jones' close range effort was then deflected over as the Reds pushed for a deficit-halving third, and they were incredibly unfortunate not to get it with ten minutes remaining.

Evans managed to hook a half volley goalwards, but her shot hit the bar and bounced down onto the line, with Brusell's follow up being cleared.

Gibbons then saved from Little and Smith as Lincoln were able to expose the gaps in the Reds defence with the clock ticking down.

Substitute Gemma Watson, Brusell and Twohig all had half chances for Liverpool as the game entered stoppage time, but they finished on the losing side as the Imps were able to close the game out and pick up their second triumph over Liverpool this season.

Liverpool remain bottom going into the season's final fixture - a home tie with title-chasing Arsenal.

Full Time: Lincoln 4-2 Liverpool

Carly Baldwin