City started 2024 with three points as they came from behind to beat Leafield Athletic 2-1 at the Castle Vale Stadium.
The match started as a scrappy affair, with neither side able to gain an attacking foothold in the game.
Leafield had the first opportunity of the game in the 12th minute when Tilly Jones nodded a recycled corner onto the top of the Imps’ crossbar.
A few minutes later it was City’s turn to hit the woodwork as Maddi Green whipped a great effort off the upright.
After winning the ball back high up the pitch Toni McHamilton found space 20 yards from goal, but saw her shot trickle just wide of goal.
As half-time approached, Green once again caused problems down the left, this time beating her marker for pace to get to the by-line.
The winger cut the ball back into a crowd of bodies but the hosts defended well to scramble the delivery away from danger.
Leafield started the second half brightly and almost took the lead when Alisha Millar was set in behind City’s defence but she struck off target.
The home side took the lead in the 56th minute, with Millar escaping down the right before sending a low cross into the path of Gwen Horgan who tucked her finish past Irvine.
Lee Mitchell responded by making three substitutions, and they made an immediate impact as Brogan Pugh and Jemima Footitt combined down the right before Footitt slid the ball through to Lucy Farrow who clinically finished past Collette Bell.
City completed the turnaround in the 88th minute when Maddi Green slid the ball through to Emily Tuplin who sent a powerful shot into the opposite corner.
Leafield pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages but the Imps stood strong to earn a valuable three points.
Leafield Athletic: Bell, Godwin, Chase, Fallon, Gowlett, Horgan, McDonnell, Hazell, Miller, Fallon, Pagan.
Goals: Horgan (56’)
Imps: Poppy Irvine, Kelly Poynton (Ella Tuplin 57’), Sinead Fletcher, Ella Thompson-Moulding, Chyna McIntosh, Faith Horner, Katie Williams, Leah Hardy (Brogan Pugh 68’), Maddi Green, Lucy Farrow, Toni McHamilton (Jemima Footitt 73’)
Goals: Farrow (75’), Tuplin (88’)
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