Perkins strikes late to secure victory over The Moors.
It was late drama at Abbey Lawn as Keir Perkins struck the winner in the final five minutes to secure a 1-0 victory over Solihull Moors Women in the FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands, making it three wins on the bounce in all competitions.
Dan Lawlor was full of praise for his side’s character to battle through a winner in the closing stages despite a frustrating afternoon in front of goal following a combination of some excellent saves from Lucy Bicknell and a lack of cutting-edge inside the final third. Lawlor named an unchanged starting eleven for the first time this season, with Tara Kirk returning to the squad after missing last weekend’s FA Cup victory.
Jess Driscoll carved out the first opportunity with just three minutes on the clock, which involved some excellent footwork just on the edge of the box before dragging her effort wide. Katie Middleton forced Bicknell into action on seven minutes, pushing away her powerful effort after a clever flick by Megan Lawlor picked out the forward.
Keir Perkins and Rosie Axten both had opportunities superbly saved by Bicknell shortly after, showing some quick reflexes to keep out Perkins’ volley from close-range before tipping over Axten’s free-kick from the edge of the box. Middleton was then just inches away from breaking the deadlock as her low-driven effort rolled past the far-post.
The Moors clocked their first chance of the game just after the half hour mark, Tiana Walker’s cross found the on-rushing Portia Langely-Wright at the back-post but she sent her header over the bar. Driscoll thought she eventually broke the deadlock on 35 minutes, forcing home a loose ball following a scramble inside the box, but was disallowed due to a handball in the build-up.
Langley-Wright curled an effort over the bar from the edge of the box as The Moors looked to start the second half strongly before Lawlor saw an effort from distance go well over the bar as the game became end-to-end between the two sides.
If there was ever a chance that highlighted it might just be one of those days in front of goal, it was Perkins’ chance on 54 minutes. Middleton sent a low cross into the box and found Perkins inside the six-yard box, but the number nine flashed her effort wide of the far-post.
A double change was made on 61 minutes as Poppie Brown and Kirk replaced Lawlor and Axten, and both substitutes nearly made an immediate impact, Brown sending an effort from the edge of the box narrowly wide before Kirk saw her shot straight into the hands of Bicknell after the ball ricochet off Perkins.
Lawlor made a third change as Middleton made way for Zaiga Lacite, who went on to play a massive part in the final result of the game. With the clock hitting 85 minutes, defender Niamh Connor took a long throw on the far side, flicked on by Driscoll into Lacite, she directed the ball into the path of Perkins to fire home from close-range, securing an important three points at Abbey Lawn in the closing stages of the game.
Posh XI: Corry, York, Mugridge, Connor, Driscoll-King, Driscoll, Lawlor (Brown, 61min), Scargill, Middleton (Lacite, 76min), Axten (Kirk, 61min), Perkins (Bennett, 86min).
Subs Not Used: Guy.
Photo credit: Ruby Red Photography