Abi Kisby fired a hat-trick as Moors Ladies extended their lead at the top of the NERWFL Premier Division with a 6-2 thrashing of Wakefield at New Ferens Park on Sunday.
Almost 300 fans packed into the ground to back Moors in Durham, after a decision was taken to switch the fixture back to New Ferens Park from The Brewery Field following the recent poor weather.
And that great support was treated to another outstanding display from Billy Shackleton’s side as he celebrated his 50th game in charge of the team in fine style.
A strong wind was always likely to be a factor in proceedings and it was Wakefield who settled better in the conditions during the early stages.
However, Moors showed their teeth when they sprung forward through Caitlin Bates, but her inviting cross flashed just in front of the arriving Katy Hemmingway and Wakefield survived.
The breakthrough did arrive just before the half hour mark though. Courtney Mole’s dangerous corner caused chaos in the visitors’ penalty area and Autumn Colledge smashed the ball home from close range for 1-0.
Moors doubled their lead just before the break with Mole again the architect. This time the talented midfielder slipped a ball through for Bates who got in behind to strike on goal and when the effort bounced back off the post, Kisby was on hand to convert the rebound.
Shackleton’s side then started the second half in sensational fashion, Kisby making it 3-1 within a minute of the restart when she got on the end of Bates’ ball across goal.
It was 4-0 on 52 minutes when Bates deservedly got her name on the scoresheet when she rammed the loose ball home after Autumn Colledge’s initial shot had proved to hot to handle for the Wakefield keeper.
To their credit, the visitors kept going and they pulled a goal back almost immediately after an incisive break down the left was finished off well from the edge of the area for 4-1.
The game became a little scrappy after that, but Wakefield continued to press, and they got further reward on 65 minutes when another good move down the left resulted in a second goal.
However, Moors regained their composure and got back on the front foot to make it 5-2 on 75 minutes when Hemmingway profited from another teasing Bates delivery to fire home her fifth goal of the season.
Four minutes later, Kisby ended the game as a contest and completed her treble. Lucy McIntosh expertly picked out the run of the forward with a ball over the top and Kisby took a perfect touch to control it before sending a wonderful finish into the top corner for 6-2.
Moors could have added even further gloss to their victory in the closing stages as Beth Enguita’s wonderful strike found the top corner only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
“It wasn’t our best performance but at this point of the season it’s all about the result,” Shackleton admitted afterwards.
“We had to break Wakefield down and try to play our own brand of football, which wasn’t easy with the conditions the way they were.
“It’s not in our hands at all, but it puts pressure on the clubs around us going into the final few weeks.”
Full Time: Moors 6 Wakefield 2
Moors: Miller, Middleton, Knox, McIntosh, N Jackson, Mole, Reed, A Colledge, Bates, Hemmingway, Kisby.
Subs: Enguita (75), L Jackson (84), Drinkald (70), Gray (46), Seymour (84).
Attendance: 273
