Lincoln United U13 Girls have won the 2023 Lincolnshire FA County U13 Girls’ Cup after a very tight contest against Newark Town FC, which saw them win 1-0 at Stamford AFC’s Zeeco Stadium on Sunday. 

Rick Waite’s side are the first ever winners of the competition. The Lincoln United manager spoke of his “relief” after being “very nervous before the game”. 

“I think I’ve been nervous than the girls! They’ve taken it all in their stride and played really well so I’m really pleased! Newark are a good side, they’re pushing us in the league and they’re a very good team – we knew this before the game” Waite told us.  

It was Newark Town who first came close to an opener, but Lincoln United keeper, Hannah Riley, collected the effort with relative ease. 15 minutes in and Bella Taylor worked her socks off to keep the ball in play in the far-left corner of the pitch, before turning and crossing a fantastic ball into the Newark box – but the chance went begging to be met and the game stayed level. 

However, just 2 minutes later and Lilli Edwards gave Lincoln United the lead following a superb ball into the Newark box. 

Newark Town nearly found an immediate way to take the game level again but her long range effort was parried away by Lincoln’s Hannah Riley. 

United were inches away from doubling their lead, but it was cleared off the line by a Newark Town defender after a long throw-in completely caught the Newark Town keeper out. 

Half time came around with the game balanced on a knife-edge. 

The 2nd half began with Newark coming agonisingly close to a leveller, but they just couldn’t find a way past Lincoln’s Hannah Riley. 

Daisy Wilkinson’s 50th minute effort rattled the bar from close range and almost made Newark rue their missed chances, but they came back fighting with an incredible long range effort was parried out by the Lincoln United keeper but was quickly dealt with by the Lincoln defence. 

Newark gave it everything in the later stages of the second half but no matter what they did, they just couldn’t find the back of the net and the game ended with a 1-0 win to Lincoln United who became the first ever Lincolnshire FA County U13 Girls’ Cup Champions.

Lincoln United’s Amy Watkins was named Player of the Match, and the match was officiated by Iqra Malik, Ryan Pick, Dawid Szymiczek, and Ethan Paragreen. 

Photo Credit: Ed Mayes Photography