A hat-trick from Frankie Pim inspired Peterborough United Women U23s as they secured a 6-1 victory over Lincoln City Women Development on Sunday afternoon at the LNER Stadium (3G Pitch) in the FA Women’s National League Reserves Midland Division.
The hosts carved the first chance of the match inside the opening stages as Megan Deller was forced into a low save from The Imps’ forwards’ shot from inside the box. Ella-Mai Bale was played through on goal but the goalkeeper handled outside the area as the referee awarded a free-kick. Alicia Podd stood behind the ball before firing low into the bottom left corner to give Posh the lead. Posh quickly doubled their advantage as Podd’s strike from distance was parried kindly towards Pim who tapped in from close range.
Bale had the chance to add a third goal as she capitalised on a poor pass from the back, but the goalkeeper saved well. She didn’t have to wait long to claim her 10th goal of the season though as she met Ellie Curzon’s corner and headed into the top right corner minutes later. The Posh extended their lead in the 27th minute as Podd played a neat ball towards Pim who controlled well before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom right corner.
Jess Abrantes almost capped her debut off with a goal as her cross almost sneaked in at the far post. Posh added a fifth on the half hour mark as a scramble in the box fell to Maddison Moore who slotted in from close-range. The hosts began to grow into the game as Deller tipped a long range free-kick around the post.
Pim thought she had scored her third of the game as she diverted a cross towards goal, but her headed effort was cleared off the line by the defender. The Imps’ grabbed a consolation goal on the stroke of half time as a lobbed effort from 35 yards out found its way into the back of the net.
Posh continued to pressurise the hosts defence in the second half as Rebecca Mears’ struck from distance but saw her effort well held by the goalkeeper. Posh capped off a fine display away from home as Deller’s kick was not dealt with by the hosts, Pim latched on before firing into the top right corner to claim her hat-trick.
Despite a resilient performance from the hosts, the U23s held out to record an excellent victory in the FA Women’s National League, as they climbed the table to second place.
Manager Michael Allsebrook said: “I am really proud of the players today and delighted to end the calendar year on a really good team performance; particularly in the second half. We knew Lincoln would be resilient and fair play to them for continuing to try and keep themselves in the game. At half time, we praised the girls’ quality in the final third but asked for more from them on and off the ball. They went back out there and showed a really disciplined performance in the second half.”
“We knew last time out against Lincoln, we let ourselves down so to make amends today was excellent. It’s a result we are delighted with and shows just how much progress we have made. I’m delighted for Frankie (Pimm) to get another hat-trick on her return to us. You can see how much confidence she has gained from being with the first team for a few weeks. Jess (Abrantes) was outstanding on her debut today and should be really proud of her performance. It’s nice to end 2023 on a high and now we prepare for the challenges that 2024 has to bring.”
POSH XI: Deller, King, Sands, Osker, Curson, Moore, Mears, Podd, Pim, Bale, Abrantes.
Subs Used: Akinyemi, Richards-Reeves, Lloyd-Edwards, Smith, Mushtaq.
- Photo Credit: Darren Wiles.
