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Reds bow out of Continental Cup

Liverpool fell to another Continental Cup defeat despite twice taking the lead away at Lincoln today.

The 3-2 loss means that Liverpool exit the competition at the group stage, while Lincoln progress as group winners.

The Imps started on the front foot, but neither side were able to create any meaningful early chances on what was a difficult surface to play on.

It was the pitch that played the decisive role in the opening goal, as Liverpool went ahead in comical circumstances.

Vicky Jones did well to keep the ball in play in her own left back area, before flighting a seemingly innocuous ball forward. Lincoln centre half Sophie Bradley then elected to pass back to her goalkeeper, Nicola Hobbs, but the ball hit a divot and bobbled over her foot into the net.

The home side responded well, with Meaghan Sargeant's powerful strike being deflected wide, and Katie Brusell doing well to block a shot from the resulting corner.

Lincoln did level midway through the first half though. Liverpool were unable to clear a free-kick from the left, and Carla Cantrell punished them by drilling home a shot under the body of Nicola Davies.

Despite the awful pitch, the entertaining nature of the game continued as Liverpool regained the advantage on 32 minutes.

Emily Gielnik did well to win a corner after capitalising on confusion between Hobbs and Casey Stoney, and Hannah Keryakoplis then glanced home Michelle Evans' dangerous delivery.

The lead lasted barely three minutes though, as Megan Harris flicked home Lincoln's second equaliser after Vicky Jones had headed off her own line.

Half-time: Lincoln 2-2 Liverpool

The first chance of a quieter second half fell to Precious Hamilton, but she poked wide after being found by a great ball from Lucy Staniforth.

Hamilton was again involved moments later when her headed lay-off fell perfectly to Harris, but she saw her shot well saved by Davies.

Hamilton was guilty of missing two further clear chances for Lincoln before the home side finally took the lead for the first time in the game five minutes from time.

Staniforth swung in a corner which was met from close range by England captain Stoney, who headed firmly past Davies.

For all Lincoln's dominance, Liverpool could have snatched a draw in the closing stages as Evans twice curled fantastic free kicks into the box, but no visiting player could get their head to the ball and prevent another cup defeat.

Full-time: Lincoln 3-2 Liverpool

 

Carly Baldwin