NELSON LADIES 3

Lambert 29, Lundwright 77,

Hartley 85

AGSA RESERVES 3

Culshaw 16, 40, 68

NELSON Ladies showed their true fighting spirit to battle back from 3-1 down to earn a draw against local rivals Accrington Girls and Ladies Reserves.

Playing their first game in the LFA Women’s County League for over a month, the Admiralettes hosted their East Lancs neighbours at Little Wembley in a much-anticipated clash.

Manager Nicky Simmonds gave debuts to Stephanie Lambert, Zara Wignall and Chelsea Hodgson while he also welcomed Jess Rigg and Louise Boyle back to the starting line-up.

With so many changes and lack of action, it was no surprise that Nelson got off to a shaky start and it was Emma Culshaw who broke the deadlock for the visitors with a cool finish.

However, the lead was short lived after Steph Lambert raced on to a fine pass and calmly lifted the ball over the advancing keeper.

In what was proving to be a fast and furious encounter, Accrington appeared to be on course for a league double - they won 5-2 in the first encounter back in December - when the dangerous Culshaw netted two more to complete her hat-trick.

But Nelson got a foothold back into the game when Beth Roberts released Alethea Lundwright who raced clear to beat the keeper.

And there was to be one final twist when Charlotte Hartley curled in a free kick that went in off the bar to earn Nelson a share of the spoils.

“We went into this game hardy playing any football,” said Simmonds. “For the girls to react after going 3-1 down was fantastic, it showed we had determination to fight back.”

Nelson LFC XI: Amy Cooper Honour Heeks, Olivia Waddington, Louise Boyle, Jess Rigg, Caroline Mccaigue, Danielle Nuttall, Beth Roberts, Alethea Lundwright, Charlotte Hartley, Steph Lambert.

Subs: Chelsea Hodgson, Hannah Woods, Alexandra Heys, Zara Wignall.

* Nelson Ladies welcome new players. They train at Nelson and Colne College every Tuesday (8-9pm).

Email Nicky.Simmonds@outlook.com for details.