Moors Women fell to a slender NERWFL Premier Division defeat on Sunday afternoon at the hands of title-chasing Bradford City at The Brewery Field.
Rebecca Hunt’s second half header was enough to secure all three points for the visitors as they continue to put pressure on Ponteland United at the top of the league table.
Moors were called into defensive action early on as Coral Colledge had to get across the line to acrobatically clear a looping ball off the line and away from danger.
The Bantams came forward just a minute later as Aaliyah Nolan played a ball into the area, which found the left foot of Maria McKenna, who fired a shot just wide of the left post.
Lily Jackson had to be on hand to clear a smart freekick off the line on the 24th minute, much to the pleasure of goalkeeper Sophie Miller.
Moors’ Sophie White tried her luck on goal just five minutes before the break, however, her curled effort flew just over the crossbar and out for a goal kick.
Bradford City did find the net on the 45th minute mark through Hunt but the offside flag was raised to cut short any celebrations and ensure a goalless first half.
Moors boss Brent Smithson made some personnel changes at the break, looking to be the ones to find the breakthrough early on.
Despite the half time alterations, it was the visitors who broke the deadlock on the 58th minute. The ever-dangerous Hunt got on the end of an in-swinging corner from the right and headed home past Miller at the back post to give her side the lead.
Bradford almost found a bizarre second direct from corner from the right-hand side. Luckily for Moors, the ball rattled off the crossbar and out for a goal kick.
Moors weren’t content with the scoreline and looked to find an equaliser with mere minutes of the game left. Substitute Holly Doogan broke away down the right-hand side, before playing an inviting ball low into the centre of the area. However, no Moors players could get that vital touch and Bradford managed to clear their lines
Mannaan Mehmood’s side had a golden opportunity to round the game off in Bradford’s favour, with Mia Jacobs managing to break away from the Moors defence and bear down on goal. However, Miller produced a brilliant one-on-one save to deny Jacobs of Bradford’s second of the afternoon.
In the end, it was an unfortunate result for Moors against tough opposition. The Lasses will now look to get back to winning ways away at Hull City in a weeks’ time.
Full Time: Moors 0 Bradford City 1
Moors: Miller, Colledge, Knox, Drinkland, Mysleyko, White, Richardson, Bates, Elliott, Jackson, Garcia.
Subs: McIntosh, Vasey, Doogan, Backstraw, Sangha.
Attendance: 181
Report written by Noah Betts
