Moors Ladies stayed top of the NERWFL Premier Division despite a damaging 3-1 defeat to local rivals South Shields at Harton & Westoe Miners Welfare on Sunday.
Billy Shackleton’s side made the short trip looking to keep distance between themselves and Shields in a tense battle for the title that looks set to go to the wire this term.
However, their hosts were clearly determined to avenge the 8-2 defeat suffered at The Brewery Field last month and were the better side for much of Sunday’s contest.
Shields were in front inside seven minutes when a corner was swung over from the right and found centre-back Jaz Elliott-Wood who powerfully headed the ball past Sophie Miller for 1-0.
Moors were punished further on 18 minutes when Shields seized on an error at the back and the dangerous Sophie Curle drove into the penalty area, rounded Miller and knocked the ball home to double the home side’s lead.
Shackleton’s player slowly began to clear their heads and regain some composure as the first half wore on, and Shannon Reed came close with a drive from long-range as Moors looked for a route back into the game.
The breakthrough came on 32 minutes when Courtney Mole’s ball forward deflected off a Shields defender and fell kindly for Autumn Colledge, who reacted brilliantly to slide in and prod the ball past the keeper and reduce the arrears.
That game Moors a foothold to try and get themselves back on level terms after the break but they struggled to find the same passing rhythm which has been a feature of their play this season.
Shields took advantage by scoring a crucial third goal on 55 minutes when they were awarded a penalty which was confidently tucked away by Curle for her second of the afternoon.
“It was a poor performance,” conceded Shackleton after the final whistle.
“I don’t think we’ve really got going all game and fair play to Shields, they’ve taken their chances and they deserve the three points.”
The defeat sees Moors maintain top spot in the division but Barnsley’s win at Sunderland West End has moved them level on points with two games in hand, while Shields are now third and two points behind with two games in hand.
“All we can do is continue to push on for the rest of the season and pick up as many points as possible – there are more games to be played so will go again next week,” Shackleton added.
Moors’ last two fixtures of the season will see them travel to Hull United next weekend and then to Harrogate Town the following Sunday.
Full Time: South Shields 3 Moors 1
Moors: Miller, Middleton, Knox, McIntosh, N Jackson, Mole, Reed, A Colledge, Bates, Hemmingway, Kisby.
Subs: Gray (46), Enguita (56), L Jackson (74), Seymour (80), Drinkald.
