Moors Ladies earned a creditable point on the road on Sunday when they held title-chasing Chester-le-Street Town to a draw at Moor Park.
Brent Smithson’s side made the short trip in good heart after a brilliant win over Alnwick Town at The Brewery Field last weekend and keen to build some momentum.
It was always likely to be a tough challenge that awaited, against a Chester-le-Street outfit who had already beaten Moors twice earlier in the campaign.
A hat-trick of wins looked on the cards when the hosts grabbed an early lead in Sunday’s game when they made it 1-0 on six minutes against the run of play.
Moors continued to play their football though, and they got their reward on 22 minutes when Caitlin Bates got back among the goals with a brilliant finish to make it 1-1.
A hard-fought encounter turned back in Chester-le-Street’s favour five minutes before the break when Moors failed to clear a ball into the box and the home side forced it home to go 2-1 up.
Moors came out fighting in the second half and they got themselves back on level terms again on 55 minutes when some great work from Autumn Colledge set up Holly Doogan to fire home.
The hosts then began to dominate possession and put Smithson’s team under some severe pressure, but Moors held firm and also posed a threat on the counterattack at times.
Indeed, there could even have been a late twist when Moors almost snatched a winner when Doogan’s effort was brilliantly saved by the Cestrians’ keeper.
“I am so proud of the players after that performance,” said Smithson.
“They showed character and resilience to come from behind twice and we could even have taken all three points by the end.
“It’s a good result for us though and it was excellent for the girls to build on that terrific win over Alnwick which will help keep our confidence growing all the time.”
Moors Ladies are scheduled to host Sunderland West End at The Brewery Field this coming Sunday (2pm kick-off) when Season Ticket holders for the Men’s Team will be given free entry.
Full Time: Chester-le-Street Town 2 Moors 2
Moors: Miller, Knox, White, Richardson, A Colledge, Bates, Doogan, Elliott, Jackson, Garcia, Vasey.
Subs: C Colledge, Drinkald, Rackstraw, McGovern.
