McMahon and Rodriguez braces help SSFC Women sweep Sunderland West End aside

Becki McMahon and Desiree Rodriguez doubled up as South Shields Women sweeped Sunderland West End Ladies aside in a 6-1 County Cup triumph on Sunday.

McMahon brightened the Mariners’ Sunday afternoon in quick time, opening the deadlock in the third minute of the game. 

The second and third goals of Shields’ afternoon came through substitute Desiree Rodriguez, in the 28th and 36th minute.

McMahon then netted her second of the afternoon, and the Mariners’ fourth in the first-half. 

Early into the second-half, Sunderland West End were awarded a penalty which was dispatched by Eve Jones in the 49th minute.

However that was not the last of the goals as Shields went on to score two more.

One came through an own goal, only a minute after West End’s consolation, and Annece Legg who joined the scoresheet in the 78th minute.

The lasses came into the County Cup clash with Sunderland West End having been in great goalscoring form as of late, netting three goals in each of their last two outings against Ossett United Women and Wallsend BC Women. 

Julie Raffel too, came into the clash excited as she would start her second game on the right-wing for the Mariners, following her scintillating hat-trick last time out.

Shields' afternoon got off to an incredible start thanks to McMahon’s opener in under five minutes. 

The defender found herself on the left-side of the field with space to whip in a cross; miraculously the cross looped over Summer Sawyer and into the back of the net. 

Three minutes later, McMahon was at it again but this time her strike was cleared off the line and away from danger. 

The next big opportunity of the game came a minute before the half-hour mark, through substitute Rodriguez. 

She received a one-two back from Legg, powered forward, shrugging off the defence, and slotted the ball into the back of the net. 

Seven minutes later, Rodriguez stabbed home a third. 

A wonderful ball was played in from the free-kick by Asia Jota and the ball kindly fell for Rodriguez, who had the instinct to be in the position to net her second after coming on the pitch.

The fourth goal of the seven goal outing saw McMahon finish impeccably from the left wing, three minutes before the end of the first-half.

McMahon played the ball to Kesi Hoot on her left, who turned and back-heeled a pass into McMahon’s path - the defender locked onto the ball, cut inside and bent the ball into the top right corner.

Unfortunately for the Mariners, Sunderland West End did get a consolation goal thanks to a Jones penalty four minutes into the second-half. 

However, Sophie Clough and Alex Miller’s side did not take the foot of the gas, as immediately after West End had scored the consolation, Shields bagged their fifth. 

Albeit an own-goal, the move was splendid: Legg played the ball square to Rodriguez, whose initial shot was parried out to Jen Wootten, who then hammered it back towards Legg.

The West End clearance resulted in a looping header which glided into the corner past Sawyer.

Shields’ final goal came with twelve minutes to go, with Raffel managing to get a flick on the ball and send Legg through for a one-on-one with Sawyer - Legg passed the ball coolly past the keeper and grabbed the team’s sixth goal of the game.

The lasses are back in action at the weekend when they host Spennymoor Town Ladies in the NERWFL Premier Division. Full match details to follow soon.

South Shields Women (starting XI): Yeakey, May, Killeen, Legg, Wootten, England, McMahon, Hoot, Jota, Green, Raffel.

Substitutes: Rodriguez (played), Hill, Miller (did not play)

Goals: McMahon (3’, 42’), Rodriguez (28’, 36’), Own Goal (51’), Legg (78’).

Sunderland West End Ladies (starting XI): Sawyer, Brischuk, Linsley, Smith, Hanratty, Kaur, Howe, Cairns, Dodds, Jones, Ferris.

Substitutes: Reynolds.

Goals: Jones (49’).