Moors Ladies launched a stunning late comeback to snatch all three points during a thrilling encounter with York Railway Institute at The Brewery Field on Sunday.
Brent Smithson’s side looked to be heading for a second league defeat of the season with just eight minutes remaining and the visitors leading 2-1.
However, a remarkable three-goal blast saw them turn the game on its head and run out 4-2 winners to move up to fifth in the formative NERWFL Premier Division table.
There was an open start to the game as both sides had chances. Autumn Colledge saw a header saved by the keeper after a good delivery from Hannah Knox, while Moors keeper Sophie Miller was called into action to deny the visitors with a smart save.
However, York RI went in front on 17 minutes and Moors took their time to recover from the setback, Brooke Newton coming close to levelling a few minutes later but for another good save.
York could have doubled their lead, but a shot came back off the woodwork before Moors then grabbed an equaliser just before the break. Summer signing Jess Dawson found space in the area and her shot had too much power for the keeper.
Hopes were high that Moors could build on this after half time and take the game to their visitors – but York got back in front within three minutes of the restart to put Smithson’s team on the back foot.
Newton fired a free kick over the bar and Autumn Colledge drew another good save from the York keeper, before Knox also stung the palms of the visiting shot-stopper.
While there were further chances for substitute Lily Jackson and Autumn Colledge, York remained a threat on the counterattack and Miller had to make another tidy save.
Moors levelled things on 82 minutes. A delivery from a set-piece caused chaos inside the York penalty area and Becca Drinkald was in the right place to stab home for 2-2.
And then on 90 minutes Moors stunned their visitors by going in front. Dawson got through on goal and powered a low drive beyond the keeper to make it 3-2.
The setback seemed to knock the stuffing out of York and that allowed Moors to make sure of the points in injury time when Jackson’s glancing header found the bottom corner of the net.
“I thought we gave York a little too much respect and let them play,” admitted Smithson afterwards.
“We weren’t our usual selves and that’s two weeks in a row we’ve made things hard for ourselves – but what is pleasing is that we’ve found a way to win on both occasions.
“We’ve got the three points and that’s what it’s all about.”
Full Time: Moors 4 York RI 2
Moors: Miller, Knox, Drinkald, Newton, Richardson, A Colledge, Elliott, Hemmingway, Brischuk, Dawson, McIntosh.
Subs: Jackson, Gray, Saunders, Doogan.
Attendance: 173
