Eastwood & Kimberley Ladies Football Club

What a way to end our Summer Sessions 👏🏼

HUGE numbers again and we welcomed new Goalkeeper Jesse to her first session whilst we also welcomed back Liv Foster from a lengthy absence.

After a fun warm up Ant took the defensive units to work on shape and to reflect on a couple of goals conceded against Mansfield. Dylan took the attacking units to work on Attacking pressure and some Rondo work whilst Rhys took our keepers union to do some work.

All in all another really positive session and we look ahead to Sunday as we host Keyworth United at home in Division One action.

As it was our last Summer session at our home, we just want to share our appreciation to the staff at The Dale Club and thank them for the long nights after our training and being on hand when needed… so thank you!

Well done tonight ladies! 🟡⚫️

LAST SUMMER SESSION 🥲

Tonight’s session will be our final midweek session at our home before our Ladies move over for Winter sessions at The Kimberley School next week.

A 7pm exact start tonight and the usual £2 fee (Unless it’s your first session).

ALL are welcome! 💪🏼

With another high attendance expected, Ant & Dylan will run two separate exercises whilst Rhys will be putting out goalkeepers (and stand in goalies) through there paces!

See you tonight! 🙌🏼

NEXT MATCH 🟡⚫️

We’re back at home, after an unfortunate result away from home last week, we’re looking to bounce back as we play our first home league game of the season.

Next up is a familiar opponent in Keyworth United, who we’ve faced before and we’ll be looking to put in a big performance and get our first points on the board in Division 1.

📅 13/09/2026
🆚 Keyworth United
📍 Dale Club, NG16 5HR
⏰ 2pm KO

Come down and get behind the girls! 🟡⚫️

CLUB SHOP 👕

Reminder to check out our club shop thanks to Ignite Sports

Warm up tops and mid layers through to jackets are all available and in two colours - Black for players/supporters and Grey for officials!

🚨 Team replica shirts will be available once individual teams have processed their kit orders

Head over to https://www.ignitesports.co.uk/eastwood-kimberley and order now! 🟡⚫️

Eastwood and Kimberley | Ignite Sports

FT RESULT 🟡⚫️

Mansfield Town Development 3️⃣ - 1️⃣ Eastwood & Kimberley Ladies

Smallwood ⚽️

Eastwood & Kimberley Ladies made the trip to RH Academy for their Division One debut, taking on a Mansfield Town Development side who have occupied a place in the division for several seasons.

Despite the 3–1 defeat, E&K can take huge confidence from a performance in which they were the better side for large periods of the game.

A squad of 16 made the journey, including a competitive debut for Lenka Tomankova, while Bec Widdowson once again stepped into goal in the absence of our regular stopper, Kelsie.

The game began at a frantic pace, with both sides looking to take the initiative. Mansfield applied the early pressure before E&K found their rhythm and began to assert themselves.

A strong spell from the visitors saw Ella Smallwood use her pace and physicality to cause problems, while Gina York continually found pockets of space and looked to make things happen. A flurry of E&K corners followed, but the hosts managed to keep the ball out or were aided by over hit crosses.

E&K did need to remain mindful of Mansfield's threat on the break, and it was Widdowson who came to the rescue with an excellent save to keep the scores level.

But against the run of play, Mansfield took the lead.

A frustrating theme would unfortunately develop throughout the afternoon, with E&K guilty on more than one occasion of wasting good possession with loose five-yard passes.

One such mistake allowed Mansfield to nip in and release their pacey winger. She fed the striker, who made no mistake when faced with a one-on-one opportunity.

1–0 Mansfield.

Frustrating, but E&K were more than capable of restoring parity.

Moments looked promising for E&K but then fell apart and another chance came with Ella being forced wide and her strike flew wide. E&K kept probing.

Changes followed, with Lucy Coulter replacing Hannah Wilkinson and Stacey Brace coming on for Ayesha Nacer at full-back. The changes injected a little more energy into the side and, once again, Smallwood looked the most likely source of an equaliser.

Twice Ella looked as though she had broken through, only to perhaps rush the final touch or finish. However, we knew it was going to come.

HALF TIME: Mansfield Town Development 1–0 Eastwood & Kimberley Ladies

There were no immediate changes at the interval, with management asking the players to continue doing what they were doing while simply tidying up the shorter passes.

Mansfield started the second half strongly though and enjoyed a five-to-ten-minute spell of possession and pressure, with their winger again causing problems.

Once again, Widdowson was equal to it, producing another excellent near-post save.

Then came the equaliser E&K deserved and it was those passes, which we know full well the group are capable of, that unlocked the stubborn Mansfield backline.

Gina York produced a lovely through ball towards the right-centre of the box, releasing Ella Smallwood. Ella's right-footed effort may not have been the cleanest strike, but it had enough on it to sneak past the goalkeeper, with the retreating defender unable to quite reach it.

1–1.

With E&K back on level terms and enjoying the greater share of the play, there was every reason to believe the visitors would push on.

Instead, moments after the equaliser, E&K gifted Mansfield another goal.

A throw-in on the right was intercepted centrally before an innocuous ball forward was seized upon by the same pacey winger. Once again she found herself one-on-one and once again she finished with aplomb.

2–1 Mansfield.

A sucker punch to say the least.

But E&K weren't going to roll over.

Abby Nield and Lenka Tomankova worked tirelessly to create opportunities, but Mansfield's defence remained resolute and well organised. Nothing clear-cut was really falling for the visitors and frustration began to build as play became hurried.

Further changes followed, with Saskia Lewis entering the action alongside Rachel Townsend, replacing the ever-impressive Hannah Lewis and silky Abby Nield.

Then came a controversial moment.

E&K were probably at fault initially, with a couple of rushed and failed clearances eventually resulting in the final attempt smashing into Chelsea Richardson's face from close range.

Chelsea was left flat out on the floor as the ball ricocheted through to the Mansfield winger, who ran on and finished.

3–1 Mansfield.

With Chelsea still on the floor, questions were understandably raised from both benches about the rules surrounding head injuries and what should happen in that particular circumstance. Neither bench appeared entirely certain of the procedure in the moment, leaving the referee to make a judgement call on the spot.

The goal stood.

Another cruel blow for E&K, but unfortunately that's football sometimes.

The visitors continued to try and muster opportunities during the closing stages, but credit to Mansfield. They remained disciplined, defended resolutely and managed the game calmly, running the clock down to secure all three points.

FULL TIME: Mansfield Town Development 3–1 Eastwood & Kimberley Ladies

⭐ Player of the Match: Lenka Tomankova

Lenka simply doesn't stop running.

But alongside the incredible work rate is genuine technical ability, making her a constant threat whenever she gets on the ball.

The team once again voted Lenka as the star of the show, making her a thoroughly deserved Player of the Match.

And there was a lovely touch too, with today's POTM receiving a scratchcard and Amazon voucher from Ladies team sponsor The Daughter Electrical, courtesy of Gina York. ⚡💛🖤

🗣️ Gaffer's Thoughts

"A frustrating end to what was an unbelievable performance."

"We had so much of the first half but lacked that clinical spark, which I'm certain will come as we progress each week. In the second half, especially after equalising, I just thought we would kick on... but it wasn't to be."

"The players know they are playing for the shirt and you could tell throughout the 90 minutes. Every player performed for each other today and, minus the mistakes — which maybe in Division Two we wouldn't get punished for — I thought we were excellent."

"Disappointed, but absolutely not downhearted."

"We need to react in the right way next week, on home turf, and we know nobody likes playing on the pitch at The Dale!"

"Heads up and we go again. It's a long season ahead."

And that's exactly the message.

The result wasn't what we wanted. The performance showed exactly why this group belongs in Division One.

We of course thank Mansfield Town Development for the game and wish them well for the rest of the season.

We go again. 💛🖤

MATCH DAY 🟡⚫️

The wait is over, our 2026/27 league campaign gets underway today!

Following promotion from Division 2 last season, we begin our first ever season in NGLFL Division 1 with an away fixture against Mansfield Town Devs.

🆚 Mansfield Town Devs
📍 Radford & Hymas Academy
⏰ 3pm KO

A new division and a new challenge for the girls — let’s get the season started! 💛🖤

RETAINED LIST FOR 2026/27

A look at the players sticking with us for another season 💛

Up the E&K!

NEW SIGNINGS FOR 2026/27

Welcome the newest arrivals to officially join us at E&K Ladies 💛

Up the E&K!