At the fourth time of asking Notts County finally managed three points from a league game this season, and they did it in style – beating Bristol Academy 5-2.
The Lady Pies began the season with title aspirations but travelled to the Westcountry joint second from bottom in the league, and knowing that a win was vital to keep pace with the front-runners.
Bristol parted company with manager Dave Edmondson during the week after a disastrous start to the season having lost every game. But the Vixens started the brightest and on 3 minutes it took a combined defensive effort from County’s Laura Bassett and Carly Telford to deny Nicola Watts the opener.
Two minutes later County then found themselves with two chances in quick succession – a Dani Buet strike followed by a volley from Rachel Williams, but both went narrowly wide.
Shortly afterwards, some good build up play from the hosts led to a shot from Sophie Ingle just outside the box, but it was fired straight at Telford.
Vixen’s keeper Mary Earps was then called into action, saving first from an Ellen White header, and then an Alex Greenwood free kick.
On 14 minutes the deadlock was broken when Aileen Whelan put the ball in the bottom corner after some great build up play from County involving 6 different players.
The Pies then went close again just 3 minutes later when Buet’s corner was flicked on but cleared off the line by Loren Dykes.
Scorer Whelan then turned provider on 33 minutes, finding Williams in space who hit a sweet volley into the bottom corner to make it 2-0 to the visitors.
And then, just two minutes later, the other Whelan – Fern, scored her first goal for her new club, heading in a Greenwood set-piece.
After the break Bristol came out fighting and a clumsy collision between Bassett and Whelan allowed Nikki Watts to find Ingle who fired past Telford to start the comeback.
Four minutes later Dykes made a great run down the left wing and crossed to Watts who finished well and made it 2-3.
But just when it seemed the Vixens were back in it, County scored their fourth when Greenwood was involved again from the back, setting up Williams for her second of the game.
However the drama wasn’t finished there, and in the closing stages Grace McCatty gave the Midlands side the perfect chance to seal victory, tripping Whelan in the box and giving away a penalty. After assisting goals all day, Greenwood got herself on the scoresheet after making no mistake from the spot.
The result means Bristol remain bottom on zero points whilst County jump to fourth.
