Moors Ladies produced another astonishing comeback to snatch a dramatic win at Wallsend on Sunday to leapfrog their hosts into top spot in the NERWFL Premier Division.
Billy Shackleton’s side went into the contest knowing a positive result could be key for their title ambitions, with Wallsend starting the day one point ahead and with three games in hand.
The two sides appeared to be cancelling each other out in the early stages, though Caitlin Bates came close with a left-footed effort and Hannah Knox forced a fantastic save from the Wallsend goalkeeper.
However, Wallsend got on the front foot as half time approached and, after passing up a flurry of chances, they finally broke the deadlock with the opening goal of the afternoon on 42 minutes.
A tense start to the second half meant for limited scoring opportunities though there were sights of goal for Moors forwards Bates and Lily Jackson before Sophie Miller was forced to make a good save from a free kick at the other end on the hour.
On 70 minutes Moors were level. Lily Jackson burst through on goal only to be fouled in the area and the referee pointed to the spot, allowing Courtney Mole to calmly convert the penalty for 1-1.
The hard work in getting back into the game was undone just nine minutes later when a defence-splitting pass paved the way for Wallsend to restore their lead with a calm finish past Miller.
Moors needed an instant response, and they got one. They worked the ball forward for Bates, who cut inside to get a shot away which was blocked out to Shannon Reed 35 yards out. The midfielder let fly with a ferocious strike which flew past the keeper’s fingertips to make it 2-2.
Spurred on by the leveller, Moors went on the hunt for a winner. Reed picked out the run of substitute Beth Enguita and she raced into the six-yard box before cutting the ball back to Katy Hemmingway who gleefully stroked it home to give Shackleton’s side an incredible win.
“This team has shown character all season.” Shackleton said afterwards.
“Last week was a special game but I did worry that a result like that would perhaps affect us negatively going into this one.
“I think in the first half neither side was at the races, but we rallied and had faith in the way we play football and the girls we had in the match day squad, and we’ve come away with three points.
“The girls are buzzing and rightly so.”
Moors Ladies’ next fixture is after Easter when they play host to Wakefield Women back at The Brewery Field on Sunday 7th April (2pm kick-off). Click here to buy your tickets online.
Full Time: Wallsend Boys Club 2 Moors 3
Moors: Miller, N Jackson, Knox, McIntosh, Saunders, Mole, Reed, A Colledge, Bates, Hemmingway, L Jackson.
Subs: Enguita, Middleton, Drinkald, Gray, Seymour.
