Jess Dawson scored twice but Moors Ladies were beaten during their first outing of 2025 as they went down 4-2 to league-leaders Ponteland United on Sunday afternoon.
Brent Smithson’s side were keen to get the New Year up and running after a series of postponements had left them without a game in over a month.
However, they were unable to make a winning return to the pitch as in-form Ponteland took all three points on the back of a powerful second half performance in Northumberland.
Moors fell behind midway through the first half but got back on level terms quickly when Player of the Match Jess Dawson raced through on goal to produce a clinical finish on 32 minutes.
The hosts then went back in front three minutes before half time but again Dawson led the recovery for Moors and netted her second of the game to see the sides go in level at the break.
However, Ponteland were ahead for a third time seven minutes after the restart and this time there was no way back for Smithson’s players and the home side grabbed a decisive fourth goal 20 minutes from the end.
The result left Moors sitting seventh in the NERWFL Premier Division as Ponteland’s win took them five points clear at the top, albeit having played more games than their rivals.
Full Time: Ponteland United 4 Moors 2
Moors: Miller, C Colledge, Knox, Drinkald, Richardson, A Colledge, Bates, Doogan, Elliott, Hemmingway, Dawson.
Subs: White, Jackson, Garcia, Rackstraw, Vasey.