Moors Ladies stunned league-leaders Barnsley with a brilliant performance at New Ferens Park as they ran out 4-0 winners to keep the pressure on at the top of NERWFL Premier Division.
Having won their last two games, Moors went into the fixture in good spirits but aware of the threat posed by a Tykes outfit whose recent run of form has taken them to the summit of the table.
Swirling wind made conditions testing for both sides, but it was Moors who coped the better and they fired home four unanswered goals to underline their recent upturn in results.
Billy Shackleton’s team were on the front foot from the first whistle and Caitlin Bates forced a save from the Barnsley keeper before Abi Kisby saw a shot blocked after some wonderful skill to engineer an opportunity.
Kisby was a constant thorn in the side of Barnsley, and she was involved in the game’s first key incident when she challenged for a ball with the visiting keeper. The referee adjudged she had been fouled and awarded a penalty which was blasted home by Autumn Colledge for 1-0 on 31 minutes.
Things got better for Moors just before the break when Alex Saunders’ free kick into the box caused problems and when the keeper failed to hold on to it, Hannah Knox reacted quickest to fire the loose ball into the net.
There was still caution about any half time celebrations in the Moors camp with Barnsley set to have the strong wind behind them after the break – but Shackleton’s side were in no mood to give up their lead.
Moors keeper Sophie Miller made a tidy save from a Barnsley free kick, as the visitors continued to remain composed in possession and probe for an opening.
However, Moors looked resolute in defence and maintained a threat in attack, and they made it 3-0 on 84 minutes when Katy Hemmingway’s wonderful ball over the top freed Bates and she never looked likely to miss as she ran through to score.
Substitute Lily Jackson had the ball in the net with a neat finish after being slipped through on goal by Kisby, only for the offside flag to go up and deny her the fourth goal.
But Moors wouldn’t take no for an answer and capped a fine performance by making it 4-0 in stoppage time when Olivia Mole’s persistence won a corner, which was swung in by Bates and met with a glancing header by Seymour into the bottom corner of the net.
“It’s a brilliant result and I couldn’t be prouder of the girls,” admitted Shackleton afterwards.
“We knew how good Barnsley were coming into the game; they are fit and physical side who have a lot of pace and good technique.
“Obviously the conditions were a big factor but our ability to manage them saw us through and we’ve got three points to show for it.”
Full Time: Moors 4 Barnsley 0
Moors: Miller, N Jackson, Saunders, C Colledge, Enguita, Knox, Reed, Hemmingway, A Colledge, Bates, Kisby.
Subs: L Jackson (80), O Mole (90), Drinkald (90), Seymour (90), Grayson.
