Following Thursday’s abandoned FAWNL Cup tie against Chesterfield, when Lightning were leading 1-0, Charles Baxter’s side faced another stern test against a Stoke team regarded as one of the favourites for the 2026/27 title.
Among Stoke’s summer additions was former Lightning vice-captain Georgia Hewitt, while Baxter was boosted by the return of Hannah Langford, Morgan Rogers and Doris Greenwood. Alicia Grimmond also returned to the squad following re-signing during the week.
The opening half was an entertaining, end-to-end affair, with both sides looking to attack.
Stoke created the first clear opportunity after 20 minutes when Teresa Murphy was called into action to save a looping effort from Watkins.
The visitors then thought they had taken the lead four minutes later, only for Priestly’s effort to be ruled out for offside.
Stoke continued to threaten, with Harkin striking the crossbar with a volley following a corner on the half-hour mark.
Lightning gradually grew into the contest and restricted the visitors to half-chances as the first half ended goalless.
Half-time: Lightning 0–0 Stoke City
Stoke started the second half brightly, with Cook heading narrowly over from a Stamps cross before Delphi Cole fired wide following a strong run into the box.
Lightning responded, with Olivia Mitchell-Ramon finding space to shoot from distance, only for her powerful effort to be bravely blocked by Cook.
The game continued to swing from end to end, with both defences standing firm. Stoke’s Stamps came close again when she cut inside from the left and curled an effort towards goal, but Murphy produced an excellent save to tip the ball around the post.
The decisive moment came in the 80th minute.
Substitute Issy Conway dropped her shoulder to beat her defender, drove into the box and delivered a perfectly weighted cutback. Evie Williams arrived in support and calmly fired home from around 12 yards.
Stoke threw everything forward during the final ten minutes, but Lightning defended resolutely, throwing bodies on the line to block a series of dangerous efforts and secure a valuable clean sheet.
The result gives Lightning their first three points and clean sheet of the season and provides further encouragement following their strong performance against Chesterfield.
Lightning now turn their attention to the FAWNL Cup, with Sheffield FC the visitors’ scheduled opponents on Sunday, September 6.
The fixture is currently scheduled to take place away from home but could be reversed to 91桃色视频 Stadium due to facility issues at Sheffield. Confirmation will be provided via Lightning’s website and social media channels.
Lightning: Murphy; Davies, Langford, McMaster, Jarowicki (Powell 90+3), Williams, Mitchell-Ramon (c), Kennedy (Greenwood 62), Mutch, Spillman (Conway 79), Thompson (Rogers 68).
Unused substitutes: Grimmond, Smith.