Caitlin Bates scored twice against her former club as Moors Ladies brushed aside local rivals Hartlepool United in the NERWFL Premier Division at New Ferens Park on Sunday.
In-form forward Bates scored some 72 goals during her days on the books at Pools, but she came back to haunt them at the weekend as her brace led Moors to another crucial three points.
When the sides locked horns in Hartlepool on the opening day of the league season in September the game finished 5-3 in Moors’ favour and fans turned up hoping for another entertaining affair on Sunday.
They weren’t left disappointed as Billy Shackleton’s side claimed the lead with just 12 minutes gone when Katy Hemmingway timed her run perfectly to latch on to Autumn Colledge’s pass and finish deftly.
It was 2-0 on 18 minutes. Lily Jackson was chopped down as she drove forward down the flank, and from the resultant free kick, Bates found Autumn Colledge who rose highest to head home from close-range.
Things got even better just two minutes later when Bates ran to close down the visiting goalkeeper, pinching the ball from her feet and slotting it into the empty net to make it 3-0.
Pools refused to throw in the towel though, and they reduced the arrears when a ball into the box was deflected towards goal by Holly Middleton and an uncharacteristic slip from Moors keeper Sophie Miller saw it find its way into the net.
Moors responded positively to the setback, and they restored their three-goal lead on 35 minutes when Alex Saunders’ ball forward was seized upon by the superb Bates, who coolly whipped a finish around the keeper and into the net for 4-1.
Pools came out fighting after the break and grabbed another goal back when striker Robyn Foster raced clear of the Moors defence and produced a wonderful, clipped finish over the advancing Miller.
Shannon Reed then forced a good save from the Pools keeper, before Neve Jackson turned a Hannah Knox free kick just wide of the post as Moors looked to finish off their gutsy visitors.
The killer goal arrived on 90 minutes when Reed broke through into the Hartlepool penalty area and managed to square the ball for Drew Seymour who gleefully converted to make it 5-2.
“I always expect a tough game when we play Hartlepool,” admitted Shackleton afterwards.
“The league table doesn’t tell the full story and we know they have players who can create danger, so to come out 5-2 winners is a good result for us.
“I am happy with how we played, especially in the first half, so now we need to go and replicate that next week against Harrogate Town.”
Full Time: Moors 5 Hartlepool United 2
Moors: Miller, Middleton, Knox, Saunders, N Jackson, Drinkald, Reed, A Colledge, Hemmingway, L Jackson, Bates.
Subs: Gray, Mole, Seymour, Enguita.
