Unstoppable Autumn Colledge blasted four goals as Moors Ladies extended their unbeaten league run to 17 games with a 7-0 demolition of Washington on Thursday night.
Having already clinched promotion to the Premier Division, the Ladies Team appear determined to finish their memorable season in style and were simply too good for their hosts at Washington Hub.
The two sides were locked at 1-1 when they met earlier in the season, but Moors always looked set for victory on Thursday – despite boss Billy Shackleton not being happy with the first half showing.
Moors keeper Steph Doonan was forced into an early save before Shackleton’s side opened the scoring on 10 minutes when Kira Whittle’s long throw found its way through to the back post where it was tucked home by Coral Colledge.
However, Moors struggled to get into their flow during the opening 45 though they did extend their lead before the break when Lily Jackson prodded home Meg Foster’s cross to make it 2-0 and then Autumn Colledge made it three just prior to half time.
Shackleton delivered some stinging words during the interval and also made a couple of changes, which seemed to have the desired effect as Moors made it 4-0 five minutes after the restart when Katy Hemmingway picked out Drew Seymour in the box and she turned it home.
Foster then found Seymour who turned a lovely ball round the corner for Autumn Colledge who grabbed her second of the evening with a calm finish into the bottom corner on 53 minutes.
Alice Welch-Davision when found Nikita Hemmingway with a searching pass and she set up Autumn Colledge to complete her hat-trick from close range.
And Autumn Colledge wasn’t finished there. Alex Saunders let fly with a vicious strike and the top scorer was there to follow-up and convert from the rebound to make it 7-0 and keep Moors in with a chance of winning the title.
“It wasn’t a great first half but any time you win 7-0 but consider the performance to be poor is a good day,” admitted Shackleton.
“It’s all about putting pressure on Wallsend now. Hopefully a victory on Sunday will help us – it’s in their hands but we’ve done our part and whoever ends up winning the league, it will have been a great season for both clubs.”
Moors are now one point clear of Wallsend at the top of the table ahead of Sunday’s showdown on Tyneside (2pm kick-off) but know their rivals still have two games in hand.
Full Time: Washington 0 Moors 7
