Moors Ladies produced another incredible comeback on Sunday as they recovered from two goals down to take all three points in dramatic fashion at Alnwick Town.
Billy Shackleton’s side looked destined for defeat when the hosts struck early in both halves to move into a commanding 2-0 lead as they aimed to avenge their September defeat at The Brewery Field.
However, a spirited fightback saw Moors turn the game on its head to complete a NERWFL Premier Division double over the Northumberland outfit and remain fifth in the league table.
It was a nightmare start for Moors who were pressed onto the back foot by an aggressive opening from Alnwick, who were denied on numerous occasions by keeper Sophie Millier in the first ten minutes.
The hosts wouldn’t take no for an answer though and they got their breakthrough when a looping header from a corner finally found a way past Miller, and it was 1-0.
Alnwick continued to dominate and looked set to double their advantage when the forward went clean through on goal, only for Coral Colledge to get back with a last-ditch tackle to clear the danger.
Caitlin Bates thought she had brought Moors level but her shot cannoned back off the post, while Katy Hemmingway saw a shot well saved by the keeper with Autumn Colledge unable to convert from the rebound.
Those missed opportunities looked to have been pivotal when Alnwick made it 2-0 eight minutes after half time with a cool finish from the right side of the penalty area.
However, there was a lifeline for Moors just after the hour when Courtney Mole – making her 50th appearance for the Club – lifted a ball into the box which caused problems for the Alnwick defence and Becca Drinkald was able to force it home to reduce the deficit.
Ten minutes later it was all-square. Bates whipped a free-kick into the middle and Lily Jackson leapt to meet it with a looping header which sailed over the Alnwick keeper and into the back of the net.
A rescued point turned into a glorious victory five minutes from time when the brilliant Bates combined with Lily Jackson once more before then slipping a ball through for Autumn Colledge, who calmly rolled it into the bottom corner to make it 3-2 and set off wild celebrations.
“Alnwick are a really good side so to take six points from them is huge for us,” admitted Shackleton afterwards.
“I think we are at our best when we get the ball down and play, which is something that we’ve inadvertently come away from in recent weeks.
“I told the girls to remain patient and chances would come because if we played our football, I knew we would make things difficult for Alnwick.
“That’s what we did in the second half, and we’ve come away with a strong result and something for us to really build on.”
Full Time: Alnwick Town 2 Moors 3
Moors: Miller, Middleton, Knox, C College, O Mole, C Mole, Gray, Reed, Bates, Hemmingway, A Colledge.
Subs: Drinkald (30), Grayson (61), L Jackson (64), Enguita (65), Seymour.
