On form Hawke cannot hold off Rovers

By gwalker

Rod Wilson paid tribute to his OOH Lincoln Ladies side yesterday after their Women's FA Cup journey came to a gallant and dramatic end at Blackburn.

The Lady Imps crashed out in the fifth round of the competition with Katie Anderton scoring with just three minutes remaining of extra-time.

It proved an eventful afternoon for the Rovers forward, who had earlier seen a penalty brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Kay Hawke (pictured above) in normal time.

Despite seeing their dream ended by Rovers, who are a division above the Lady Imps in the pyramid, Wilson could not hide his admiration for his side.

"Every single one of them were excellent and I was so, so, proud of them all," he said.

"They gave everything, they were a credit to the club and contributed to a cracking cup tie.

"There was plenty of drama and we played our part in that and I told them at the end they had nothing to feel down about.

"Understandably some were feeling a little despondent but there was no reason because as a manager all I want is a performance and there was no doubt about it, they were magnificent.

"To crash out in extra time, was a kick to the proverbials, even though they don't have any, but we will bounce back."

The result still leaves Wilson without an away victory in the competition against a National Division side, but the outcome of yesterday could have been very different.

The Lady Imps chief pointed to injuries as a major factor in their defeat with Nick Stray and the influential Mel Cook having to be substituted late on.

When Stacey Aisthorpe picked up a knock, he could not replace her because he had used all of his substitutes.

"There is no doubt in my mind that had we had everybody fit and had not picked up any knocks, then we would have reached penalties," he said.

"Losing both full-backs at such a critical stage of the game was a big blow and then when Stacey started limping we were playing with 10 and a half players.

"But that's what happens in football. It has a habit of biting you in the backside when you least expect it.

"For me though that turned the tide in their favour."

For the full story, buy today's Lincolnshire Echo.