Moors Ladies extended their unbeaten league run to 15 games and took another stride towards promotion on Sunday with an impressive 5-1 win over Norton & Stockton Ancients Reserves.
Billy Shackleton’s side currently sit top of the NERWFL Northern Division, and the weekend victory has moved them within three points of claiming a place in the Premier Division next season.
And they could clinch a glorious promotion at The Brewery Field this coming Sunday when they play host to Pools Youth Women in what is expected to be a bumper crowd.
The win at Norton rarely looked in doubt on Sunday. Indeed, Moors were in front inside a minute when a sweeping move down the left saw Katy Hemmingway find Meg Foster, and she teed up Courtney Mole to lash a ferocious drive into the net from just outside the box.
It was 2-0 on six minutes when Lily Jackson beat the offside trap to charge through on to Autumn Colledge’s pass before calmly slotting a low shot under the advancing Norton goalkeeper.
The home side began to come back into the game as the first half developed and Moors were thankful to keeper Alex Saunders for a couple of fine saves, while the defence worked hard to keep tabs on a Norton team who are the division’s top scorers this season.
Half time substitute Sophie Farrugia had an impact when she got free inside the area to clip a ball across to Drew Seymour who was fouled. The referee pointed to the spot and the ever-reliable Autumn Colledge buried the penalty to make it 3-0 to Moors on the hour.
Farrugia was again involved as Moors extended their lead further on 63 minutes. This time she whipped a dangerous ball in for Autumn Colledge who stretched to direct it past the Norton keeper to grab her second goal of the game.
Moors weren’t finished there though. Seymour played a wonderful ball through the Norton defence to set Courtney Mole in on goal and she kept her composure to place a firm left-footed shot into the bottom corner to make it 5-0.
The home side were able to grab a consolation five minutes from the end, but it did little to knock the shine off a fantastic performance and result which moves Moors tantalisingly close to promotion.
“Today is a massive win for us,” admitted Shackleton afterwards.
“We knew Norton were a good side and we showed them a lot of respect, but to walk away with three points and five goals is a brilliant feeling.
“Now we have the opportunity to push for the title and secure promotion at The Brewery Field – you really couldn’t script it any better.”
Tickets for Sunday’s game at The Brewery Field are available now online and also on the cash and card turnstiles ahead of kick-off on the day. Turnstiles open from 12.30pm and admission is just £3 for adults and free for all under 12s.
Full Time: Norton & Stockton Ancients Reserves 1 Moors 5
Moors: Saunders, C Colledge, Welch-Davison, O Mole, Middleton, Knox, C Mole, Hemmingway, Foster, Jackson, A Colledge.
Subs: Doonan (89), McGovern (70), Farrugia (46), Seymour (52), Whittle (70).
