Autumn Colledge smashed a hat-trick as Moors Ladies rounded off a fine debut season in the NERWFL Premier Division with a brilliant 6-1 victory at Harrogate Town on Sunday.

The emphatic result ensured that Moors stayed top of the table for the time being, but rivals Barnsley are level on points and still have two games remaining so are favourites for the title.

Billy Shackleton’s side were out of the traps quickly on Sunday, taking the lead with just two minutes on the clock when Colledge cleverly backheeled a finish past the keeper after being set up by good work from Caitlin Bates.

The home side recovered well from the early setback and caused some problems for the Moors defence as they looked to find a way back on to level terms.

However, Moors held firm and then doubled their six minutes before the break when Katy Hemmingway slipped Colledge through on goal and she confidently tucked away her second of the afternoon for 2-0.

The goal seemed to deflate the hosts and the second half proved one-way traffic. Lucy McIntosh picked out Bates with a searching ball over the top and the Moors forward dribbled into the area before whipping it past the keeper to extend the lead further on 63 minutes.

Just six minutes later it was 4-0. Again, McIntosh was the provider as she once again freed Bates to run through on goal and smash an unstoppable finish into the net.

Neve Jackson strode out of defence with the ball, making good progress down the left before squaring the ball for Colledge who fired a brilliant shot into the top corner to complete her treble and make it 5-0 on 74 minutes.

A deflected shot beat Sophie Miller in the Moors goal to allow Harrogate to pull one back a couple of minutes later, but the visitors had the final say when Beth Enguita struck home a sixth goal after more good work from the brilliant Bates.

“I am buzzing to have finished our season at the top of the table,” admitted Shackleton afterwards.

“I know things have to go our way for us to get promoted from here, but to achieve what we have this year is phenomenal really.

“Next season we will have a lot of work to do to try and continue on this trajectory, but it’s something we are all really excited about.”

Full Time: Harrogate Town 1 Moors 6

Moors: Miller, Gray, Middleton, McIntosh, Saunders, Mole, Reed, A Colledge, Bates, Hemmingway, L Jackson.
Subs: N Jackson, Enguita, Middleton, Seymour.